Petra
البتراء
Jordan · Ma'an
In brief
Petra is a Nabataean caravan city known for its rock-cut architecture and advanced water management. The settlement was an important junction in trade networks between Arabia and the Mediterranean world.
What was found?
- 1Tomb beneath El-Hazne
A tomb containing the skeletal remains of 12 individuals was uncovered beneath El-Hazne. The tomb provides important data for studying early Nabataean burials and the phases of use around the structure.
- 2Tomb pottery
The finds include the upper part of a broken jug. The pottery may contribute to dating the tomb and the construction around it.
- 3Channels, cisterns, and dams
These are parts of an extensive water system that channeled and stored seasonal rainfall. It enabled a large settlement to survive in an arid environment.
- 4Monumental rock-cut tombs
The tombs carved into the rock combine Nabataean traditions with Hellenistic facade architecture. They document the city's architectural mastery.
- 5Church remains
The church buildings in the city are tangible traces of the Byzantine period. They show that Petra continued to be used after the Nabataean period.
What does it point to?
Petra was a city sustained by caravan trade and water engineering together. The tombs and changing religious buildings document burial and worship traditions in different periods; the interpretation of the new tomb will become clearer through research.
What did it teach us?
- It showed that channeling and storing rainfall made extensive settlement possible in an arid region.
- It documented the combination of Nabataean rock-cut craftsmanship and Hellenistic architecture.
- It revealed a burial area beneath El-Hazne in which human remains and grave goods were preserved.
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Latest news / selected archive
In 2024, a tomb containing 12 human skeletons with burials in their original positions and grave goods was excavated beneath Al-Khazneh.
Record
- Culture
- Nabataean
- Team / historical
- 2024 Al-Khazneh excavation: Jordanian Department of Antiquities and American Center of Research; in collaboration with the University of St Andrews
- Coordinates
- 30.3306°, 35.4433°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Tel Lachish 149 km
- Tel Ashkelon 171 km
- Ancient Jericho / Tell es-Sultan 171 km
- Hisham's Palace 173 km
- Ain Ghazal 191 km
- Jerash / Gerasa 221 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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