Petra Ancient Ruins

Petra Ancient Ruins

 

Visit the ancient ruins of Petra

 

Petra, which lies south of Jordan’s capital Amman on the edge of the mountain clad desert of Wadi Araba, was at the crossroads of the main trade routes used by caravans and merchants for many centuries. These trade routes were used to transport high-value resources and rare spices between the Mediterranean and the Near East, Africa and even India.

 

History

 

The ancient rock city of Petra is thought to have been first established around the 6th century B.C, by a nomadic Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans. The Nabataean tribe were considered to be a Semitic group of people who laid the foundations for a commercial empire that later extended into what is today known as Syria. This article will inform you more about Petra ancient ruins.

 

The Majestic Ruins

 

The ruins of Petra are mainly known for its three large structures thatwere carved into the rock face, officially known as the King's Wall.

 

The first, is the Urn Tomb, which is a preserved monument that faces an open terrace and is covered by a row of double vaults.

Next is the Corinthian Tomb, which is a smaller version of the Khazneh and is followed by the Palace Tomb that was named so because of the glimmering effect of the rock it was cut out of.

 

A bit further away from the Royal Tombs, lies a tomb that was built in 130 A.D., for the Roman governor who ruled during Petra’s annexation. The Treasury of the Pharaoh is Petra’s most imposing façade asit standsmore than 40 meters tall and was cut directly from the rock of the mountainside.

 

 

Support Structures

 

The Siq, is a name given to a gorge that was formed by the torrent of the river Musa.This gorge was subsequently blocked by the Nabataeansusing a dam, and channeled it to carry precious drinking water to the city.There is a series of inscriptions that can be foundalong the rock walls of the Siq.

 

Decline and Ruin

 

The numerous natural calamities that constantly hit Petra, including earthquakes and flash floods, eventually triggered the slow decline of city and eventually led to its abandonment. The city then remained forgotten for over 5 centuries and was known only to natives. It was not until the early 1800s that western explorers would rediscover Petra, which has today become one of the worlds most famous and regularly visited ancient sites. It is claimed that barely 5 percent of the city has been unearthed, with many more mysteries yet to be revealed.

Petra Ancient City Of Trade

Petra Ancient City Of Trade

 

Trade in the ancient city of Petra

 

The ancient stone city of Petra is known to have flourished for several centuries, even way after it was annexed to the Roman Empire in 106 A.D.However, the Roman Empire eventually moved its center of trade away from Petra to a location closer to the coast, which caused the city's importance to slowly fade way. Over time, the city that was once the center of a bustling and vibrant trading route, was abandoned and fell into ruins due to centuries of natural calamities and neglect.

 

Origins of Trade

 

Although it is not exactly known when the ancient city was built, the fact thatthe city began to prosper as the capital of the Arab Nabataean Empire and its people is well established. This is estimated to be from the 1st century BC, which allowed Petra to grow rich through commerce and thetrade of valuable resources such as myrrh, frankincense, and various spices.

 

 

Rags to Riches

 

Over time, it is has also been established that the Nabataean Empire had further gone on to become successful traders due to their keen survival skills and vast knowledge of the desert. Not to say that the location of Petra didn’t have anything to do with it as they gained control of most of the vital trade and caravan routes that were used to move spices and incense from central Arabia to places like Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea as well.

 

It is also a well-known fact that these earlier, nomadic merchants eventually became very rich and slowly gave up their simple, nomadic lives and shoddy tents to build the grand structures, houses, aqueducts and other monuments that came to be known as the city of Petra. However, the actual reason as to why the Nabataeans gave up their nomadic life to settle down in one single place is still a widely speculated mystery.

 

Peak of Trade and Civilization

 

With the development of regular trade into caravan trade, Petra began serving as the Middle East’s vital trade center between the kingdoms of Arabia, and the eastern Mediterranean. The city eventually reached its peak population ofan estimated 20,000 people, roughly 2,000 years ago.

 

And after the Roman annexation of Petra, the caravan trade began to fade out. And, although the historic trade city was occupied even during theMiddle Ages, it was constantly hit by a series of earthquakes and other natural calamities that eventually led to its abandonment. It is also known as the Petra ancient city of trade.

Petra Ancient City of Stone

Petra Ancient City of Stone

  

Discover Petra, the ancient city of stone

 

Petra,which is the Greek word forrock, is the name for a town in Jordan that has been carved entirely out of the sandstone desert cliffs in the region. The ancient city is situated at an estimated three hours drive, south of Amman, the capital of Jordan.Petra was apparently founded by anancient nomadic Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans. Historians claim that the city was established centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, the biblical Christian messiah.

 

Brief history

 

The Nabataean tribe was a very skilled tribe and were very renowned for their in depth expertise in various skills includingagriculture and trade, architectural stone-carving, and even engineering. Historians further claim that the ancient city of Petra could have possibly been established in 312 BC or even earlier, and wasthe designated capital city of the Nabataeans and its people. Today, the city is a standing symbol of Jordan’s rich culture and heritage and is alsothe kingdoms most popularly visited tourist attraction.

 

Location

 

Petra, ancient city of stone is situated on a slope of the area known as Jebel al-Madhbah, in a basin that lies among the chain of mountains which form the eastern flank of Wadi Araba. Wadi Arabi or Arabhah is a large valley that runs from the Dead Sea right up to the Gulf of Aqaba.

 

 

Prevalence

 

As in 1985, this ancient has been identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural importance and the highly advanced civilization that lived there. According to historians, the first documented discovery of Petra was by a group of international archaeologists, way back in the early 1800s.And ever since, it has been flocked by archeologists and historians who consider the location to be a historical goldmine. It is also one of the premier and prominent tourist sites in the Middle East. This historical city was even used as a filming location for the widely popular, 1989 American feature film,Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

 

Although the ancient city was literally carved from nothing but the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan, the Nabataean tribe that inhabited ithad constructed a wide array of tombs and temples, houses, great halls, altars, and evenaqueducts. The Nabataean had established an advanced civilization that was located at the crossroads of the ancient Far East, and was a center for trade and commerce as the various“spice”routes and trading trails of thatera were all flowing through Petra.

 

Rediscovery

 

At the peak of its civilization, the city of Petra had housed some nearly 20,000 Nabataeans. This tribe had successfully built an overly advanced system of aqueducts and waterways that provided their city with the precious water, in the middle of the arid desert. And when the city was "rediscovered" during the early 1800s, many clues to the habits and routines of daily life in this were unearthed. And even to this day, archeologist are only beginning reveal what Petra had looked like, over 2,000 years ago.

Petra Ancient City

Petra Ancient City

 

The Ancient City Of Petra

 

Placed around 115 miles (185 km) in southwest of Amman, Jordan, Petra was an old city that was actually cut into red desert precipices. Its lavish antiquated structural planning and natural beauty draw attention in individuals from everywhere throughout the world.Some piece of the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" was recorded in Petra, which brought it more prevalent attention.

 

Homes And Water

 

Examination of lodging stays at ez-Zantur, inside Petra ancient city, recommends that individuals were building houses out of stone by 2,100 years prior, proclaiming a time of urbanization.This methodology would see individuals surrender their tents for more lasting stone residences, in a few occasions cutting them into the cliffs. In time unsupported homes for the elite would be made containing segments and various rooms.

 

The "Treasury"

 

Petra contains various tombs; the majority of them build at the edge of the city, past the main road. Some were basic, containing numerous burials in an unadorned rock chamber but others were more awesome.One of the best known tombs at Petra city is known as the "Khazneh," which means "Treasury" in Arabic language. It is called this on the grounds that at one time nearby individuals trusted it contained as hidden treasures.Today, archeologists view it as a two-story high tomb, yet an astonishing one. Its exterior measures 82 feet that is 25 meters wide and it is 128 feet (39 meters) high.

 

 

Ancient Temples

 

Petra's old tenants kept up a rich spiritual life. Three temples found close to the main road are accepted to date to the city's peak, around 2,000 years prior.One of them is known as the Qasr al-Bint. Walls of these templates are still kept up to a tallness of 75 feet (23 meters).The sacred of holies, a room with a stage, was toward the end. A help at the temple recommends that the structure may have been devoted to the god Dushara.

 

An alternate structure, known to archeologists at the "Great Temple," contains a little theater in an outline like a cutting edge ensemble lobby. It was substantial to such a degree as to fit around 600 individuals with its external layer of seats having a breadth of around 110 feet (33 meters).The third temple is placed halfway up a slope, is the Temple of the Winged Lions, so named on the grounds that portrayals of winged cats were found close to its altar. It contains a door and worship place with sections.

Lost City Of Petra Facts

Lost City Of Petra Facts

 

Amazing Facts About The Lost City – Petra

 

Rose Red City

 

Petra is then again known as the Rose Red City, owing to its structures that are cut into rose-red hued sandstone slopes. The red-tinged mountains encompassing Petra on its three sides make it resemble a fortification. Nabataeans made great utilization of this and utilized an exceptional pressure driven system to reserve water, accordingly making an artificial oasis. The Silk Route dealers utilized this city for resting and exchanging different things.

 

Petra Entrance

 

The entrance of Petra is sensational. You need to stroll through a slender canyon of more than 1 km. This crevasse is flanked by tall cliffs of around 80 km, and it is called Siq.Your first look of Petra (and first perspective of the Al Khazneh) comes while you are almost close to the end of the Siq.

 

 

Al Khazneh and Buildings of Petra

 

In the lost city of Petra facts Al Khazneh, which is actually mean as 'Treasury', Al Khazneh is an absolute important to see in Petra. Cut straight out of a cliff, this present landmark's veneer is a noteworthy bit of Greek-influenced structural building. It is accepted to have been assembled as a mausoleum toward the beginning of the first century AD. The discharges that you see on the veneer were to discover the treasure.

 

Movies Influenced By Petra

 

If you are a fan of Indiana Jones, you may feel that you are establishing a scene out of the film Last Crusade and Indiana Jones while entering through the Siq and looking through the Al Khazneh. In the film however, this was the Canyon of the Crescent Moon. Different films emphasizing scenes impacted by the stunning destinations in Petra incorporate Transformers: Mortal KombatAnnhilation, Arabian Nights, and Revenge of the Fallen to name few.

Hidden City Of Petra

Hidden City Of Petra

 

 

Petra – The Hidden City

 

Reconstructing of Petra

 

Archeologists, engineers and scientists from different parts of the world are today included in the undertaking of remaking hidden city of Petra. In this way, they could uncover one and only - twentieth of the old city. Subsequently a great deal stays obscure about antiquated Petra history. Although, they can say that in today's reality Petra exists. The quantities of the visitors to Petra are growing consistently day by day. As an after effect of the progressing unearthing and explores, they can come to know additionally energizing truths of Petra history.

 

Stories About The Vacinity

 

Despite the fact that it is known by local people out of the old city once more on the scene occurred in 1812. A Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt came in Arabic and a Muslim picture and a scientist who visits the Middle East. BetweenCairo to Damascus and the desert while going out and about a bit known Sharra Mountains bedevilerinden seen any Europeans listened to stories about the vicinity of an eminent antiquated city.

 

 

Scientists At The American Center

 

The story was not simple to achieve the old city. Since the antiquated city was not simple to go as an outsider. Nearby individuals around the antiquated city of Moses' sibling Aaron accepted that the grave. Room utilizes this data to his sibling Aaron, Moses said you needed to devote the grave offering. Bedouins contracted from the nearby group and the victimized person to perform this occasion to hit the street together.

 

Later in the Bedouin and the direction of indigenous gatherings in a restricted valley for quite a while the world's New Seven Wonders of the Don Quixote Johann Burckhardt'ın antiquated city of Petra is considered among the re-discovered city. In the capital, Oriental Research in Amman, the Scientists at the American Center are currently examining the parchments and hope they will reveal insight into life in Petra amid this period.

Ancient City Of Petra

Ancient City Of Petra

 

The Ancient City Of Jordan – Petra

 

Petra At Its Heights

 

From the parts of the ancient city of Petra, they come to realize that around AD 50 the city of Petra was having its brilliant days. Right from the first century BC up to the first century AD, Petra was one of the global focuses of business and society. The Nabataean merchants were offering luxury products, for example, fragrances, flavor and materials to Greece, Egypt and Rome.

 

Despite the fact that it was forsake the Nabataeans succeeded in tackling water and abruptly the populace in Petra rose to 20000. The stunning sanctuaries, around 3000 stone-cut tombs, the meal corridors, sacred places and residences exhibit the designing, construction modeling, innovation and masterfulness of the Nabataeans.

 

 

They made all the structures seem staggering by enhancing them with brilliant paints and covering with stucco. The most energizing piece of Petra history is the mechanical advancement brought by the Nabataeans encouraging the blasting of the populace. They built up the innovation to give watering system to products and enclosures by bridling the natural springs. In that abandon land they had an innovatively proficient arrangement of pools and stores.

 

The history Petra city is the historical backdrop of the Nabataeans who built up the city and made it the flourishing capital of Nabataea. The Nabataeans were exceedingly influential and in addition rich. They took pride in the improvement of Petra and they considered the city of Petra as their crown gem. Amid the first century BC these desert dealers had the control of the incense and zest exchange everywhere throughout the Arabian Peninsula. The source of these transients and also and the purpose behind their movement to Petra is still a puzzle.

 

 

The individuals who lived in Petra

 

The city of Petra was the home for around 20000 individuals. As per Petra history realities, they included Nabataeans, Romans and agents from different parts of the antiquated world. The late archeological inquires about uncover that the business group in Petra was driving sumptuous lives. The stoneware’s that they utilized were exorbitant and they had bronze lights that were lit in the nights. Then again, the picture of the normal existence of the non-world class, who lived in houses made of mud blocks and who utilized a modest mixed bag of stoneware is still not clear.

 

God And Goddess

 

The archeological discoveries about Petra history uncover that Petra was an aggregation of different religious customs of close-by areas – Arabia, Edom, Egypt and Syria. Then again, all the customs had the impact of Greek society. In all the customs they venerated two gods – the god and the goddess. As indicated by old Petra history the god and goddess were known as Dushara and al – Uzza.The Dushara was considered as the preeminent divine force of the universe identical to Zeus, the Greek god. Al – 'Uzza was viewed as equivalent to the Greco-Roman god Venus – the goddess of thriving and fruitfulness. The stone-cut sanctuaries and the corners recorded inside uncover the Petra history truths about individual and also family love. Collective blowouts, different religious celebrations and remembrance service for the expired were parts of the Nabataean love and the meal rooms were utilized for all these purposes.

Petra History Timeline

Petra History Timeline

 

The Timeline of Petra History

 

The city of Petra has been attacked many times on temporary basis; here is the Petra history timeline.

 

Alexander the Great

 

Straddling the northern end of the train course from South Arabia to the Mediterranean, the kingdom of Nabataean developed as an incredible dealer merchant kingdom amid the first hundreds of years B.C. also A.D. Already travelers in northern Arabia, the Nabataeans had settled in southern Jordan by 312 B.C., when they pulled in light of a legitimate concern for Antigonus I Monophthalmos, a previous general of Alexander the Great, who unsuccessfully endeavored to overcome their territory.

 

When China Entered In The City Of Petra – Li-kan

 

At that point, the city of Petra (old Raqmu) was the core of the Nabataean kingdom, deliberately arranged at the intersection of a few band courses that connected the terrains of China, South Arabia and India with the Mediterranean world.The notoriety of the Nabataean kingdom spread to the extent that Han-tradition China, where Petra was known as Li-kan. The city of Petra is as renowned now as it was in ancient times for its momentous rock-cut tombs and sanctuaries, which join components, got from the building design of Egypt, Hellenized West, and the Mesopotamia.

 

Roman Army Entered Petra

 

Roman played an important role in Petra history timeline because amid the rule of King Aretas III (r. 86–62 B.C.), the Nabataean kingdom developed its region northward and quickly involved Damascus. The extension was stopped by the entry of Roman armies under Pompey in 64 B.C. At different times the kingdom incorporated the grounds of present day Jordan, Syria, northern Arabia, and the Sinai and Negev deserts. At its stature under King Aretas IV (r. 9 B.C.–40 A.D.), Petra was a cosmopolitan exchanging center with a populace of no less than 25,000. The kingdom stayed free until it was fused into the Roman region of Arabia under the head of Trajan in 106 A.D.

 

Petra and Earthquakes

 

The Petra history timeline will be inadequate if it does exclude the wrecking seismic earthquakes experienced by this city. The vicinity of Petra to the Arabian plate made it a seismic tremor inclined area. On May 19, AD 363, Petra had the most annihilating Earthquakes in which pretty much a large portion of the city was annihilated. The water supply framework was likewise influenced by this earthquake. Since Petra was financially capable, it could have withstood the characteristic cataclysm, at the same time, the sudden changes in the exchange courses had a negative effect on Petra and before the end of AD 363 Petra had lost all its eminence.

 

Christianity in Petra

 

The Petra history timetable demonstrates that Christianity had its establishments in Petra by AD 330. This was around 200 years after the attack of Petra by the Roman Emperor. By AD 350 Petra had its own religious administrator and inside the following 100 years vast Christian houses of worship were inherent Petra. However, Petra history after AD 350 is about the decay of the once prosperous city. The loss of its energy in trade and exchange influenced the economy and the obliterating tremor of AD 363 denoted the start of Petra's decrease.

Petra Ancient City Of Rock

Petra Ancient City Of Rock

 

Unraveling Petra-  the ancient city of rock

 

The ancient city of Petra is located roughly 115 miles to the southwest of Amman, the capital of the country of Jordan.It was an ancient city that was genuinely carved into the red desert cliffs that are made of durable sandstone. Its stunning ancient Arab architecture and natural desert beauty have made it a very attractive tourist destination for people from all over the world. In fact, parts of the famous American film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, was filmed on location in Petra. This caused to become even more popular in the west.

 

Roman Annexation

 

Petra ancient city of rock had flourished under the advancement of technology and intuitive ways in which the Nabataean people had so proficiently built a system of water ways and aqueducts to store water, which they later sold for massive profits.

 

The city expanded even after its annexation to Rome, in about 106 A.D. Petra had served as the capital for the Nabataean tribe, who were known to write in an Aramaic language and had controlled most of the caravan trade throughout the region.

 

 

Discovery

 

The firstknown existence of the city of Petra and its people can be traced from as early as 312 B.C., when they had apparently pushed back a major attack one of Alexander the Great's successors. Prior to such attacks on their newly established city,the Nabataean tribe werebelieved to be stateless individuals who lived nomadic lifestyles, and historians believe that Petra would have likely been a place that predominantly comprised of nomadic tents and basic structures.

 

Ancient tombs and structures

 

The ancient rock cityof Petra contains a number of tombs, most of which were built towards the edge of the city. Even the tombs varied in structure and architecture because some of them seem to be very simple, and contain multiple bodies buried in unmarked rock chambers.A few others were more intricately built, suggesting that they were tombs.

 

The city’s location amidst the rugged desert canyons and mountains of the Ma’an governorate if the kingdom of Jordan made it an oasis in the desert as it stood at the crossroads of many important caravan routes and eventually became a major hub for trade and commerce, which was furthered by the highly proficient skills of the Nabataean tribesmen who were well versed with the various trades and crafts of engineering and commerce.

 

In what is today’s southwestern corridor of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra, a once a flourishing trade center and the capital of the Nabataean tribe, has become an area of archeological awe that draws historians, scholars and archeologists alike as it houses structures and technology that was considered centuries ahead of its time and still holds many secrets that are yet to be revealed.

 

The ancient rock city sat empty and in a dilapidated state for many centuries before it was finally discovered in the early 1800s, reportedly by a European traveler who had disguised himself as a local Bedouin so that he could infiltrate the area without being questioned.