The Tombs of Petra

Tuesday November 16 -  The Nabataeans moved into this region from Yemen and Saudi Arabia around 200 BC and lived heer for only 400 years.  This place was near the caravan routes so the Nabataeans exchanged water and protection for goods from the travelers.  They lived in the canyons where they were secure but were able to deal with the travelers just outside their home.

The magnificent carvings on the canyon walls are actually decorated as memorials to the deceased.  The actual tombs are in caves under or next to the carvings.  The carvings hold a small room called a triclinium where folks would sit together to remember their loved ones. Most were carved from the top down and were no deeper than 3 meters.

The Treasurery is named that because it was thought that the urn at the top held gold.  It actually held incense.  Images of Greek and Roman gods are on some of the tombs showing the influences of other cultures on the Nabataeans but their own signature was the rose decoration and the square shape of their gods.

The arena was built by the Nabataeans and altered by Romans.  A temple was built by the Nabataeans that is a separate structure, not carved into a wall.  The temple had painted stucco walls.  Near this is Trajan’s Gate.  The Romans paved the streets.

After lunch John and I climbed 1000 steps up another canyon crack to view the scenery and also to see the carved Monastery, named by early Christians.  It is an incomplete triclinium.  No tomb was found.

We walked a little over 27,000 steps today!