History
The city of Petra, the capital of the Nabataeans, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Located 240 km south of the capital, Amman, and 120 km north of the Red Sea town of Aqaba, Petra, the world wonder, is undoubtedly Jordan's most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is visited by tourists from all over the world.
The exact date of Petra's construction is unknown, but the city began to prosper as the capital of the Nabataean Empire from the 1st century BC, which grew rich through trade in frankincense, myrrh, and spices.
Petra was later annexed to the Roman Empire and continued to thrive until a large earthquake in 363 AD destroyed much of the city in the 4th century AD. The earthquake, combined with changes in trade routes, eventually led to the city's downfall, and it was ultimately abandoned.
By the middle of the 7th century, Petra appears to have been largely deserted and was then lost to all except local Bedouin from the area.
Click here to learn more through Petra's historical timeline.
The Rediscovery of Petra
In 1812, a Swiss explorer named Johannes Burckhardt set out to ‘rediscover’ Petra; he dressed as an Arab and convinced his Bedouin guide to take him to the lost city. After this, Petra became increasingly known in the West as a fascinating and beautiful ancient city, and it began attracting visitors and continues to do so today.
Petra is also known as the rose-red city, a name it gets from the wonderful color of the rock from which many of the city's structures were carved.
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20+ FILMS FEATURED SCENES FILMED IN PETRA
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85% IS YET TO BE DISCOVERED
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UNIQUE DESTINATION FOR HIKERS
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1,174,137 VISITORS IN 2023
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: ARABIC, COMMON: ENGLISH
Historical Timeline
The early Neolithic period (8500–5500)
The Petra region has been inhabited since the early Neolithic era (8500–5500 BCE), known as the pre-pottery Neolithic period. Since the 1950s, three Neolithic villages—Bayda, Ba'ja, and Shkarat Mess’aed—have been discovered in the northern part of the Petra area. These sites represent some of the earliest known settled communities globally, shedding light on life during that era and its transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to sedentary agriculture-based societies. The discovery of Neolithic villages in the Petra region offers insights into early settlement structures and the transition from nomadic to permanent human lifestyles.
Bronze Age (3300-12000)
Archaeological investigations and excavations conducted over the past three decades have revealed evidence indicating that the Petra region was inhabited during the Bronze Age. A settlement from the Early Bronze Age was uncovered at Um Saysaban, located northeast of Al Dayr, where remnants of rectangular houses and pottery remains were discovered, suggesting the continuous occupation of the area by small communities.
Iron Age (1200-600 BC)
Edom's kingdom, stretching from the Wadi el-Hasa in the north to Aqaba in the south, thrived primarily from the 13th to the 8th centuries B.C.
In the Petra Region, the Edomites established several settlements, making use of its natural water sources. Among these settlements were Um al-Biyara (referred to as the 'mother of cisterns') and Ba'ja. However, following a confrontation with King Amaziah of Judah, the region fell under the control of the Nabataeans.
Nabataean Petra (400 BC-106 AD)
Arriving around 312 BC, the Nabataeans built Petra into a trade hub due to its strategic location. They mastered desert survival through advanced irrigation and construction, but Roman and later Byzantine control led to their decline.
The Roman Petra (106 AD–early 4th century AD)
In AD 106, the Roman emperor Trajan incorporated the Nabataean Kingdom and named it the Arabian Provincia, with Bostra as its capital in modern-day Syria. Despite this annexation, Petra retained its significance in the region and maintained its population, earning the title "Metropolis of Arabia" in 114 AD. Later, during Emperor Hadrian's visit in 131 AD, the city was named Hadriane Petra Metropolis. Petra remained a thriving trade center for two more centuries with the construction of the Via Traiana Nova, connecting Bosra in the north to the port of Aila (Aqaba) in the south. Roman urban planning influenced the city's development, resulting in new structures such as the colonnaded Roman road, the Roman Soldier Tomb, and the Sextious Florentinus tomb. The theater, constructed during this period, combined Roman design with Nabataean stone carving techniques.
Petra in the Islamic Period (636 AD–1916 AD)
Upon the arrival of Muslim Arabs in 636 A.D., Petra became under Islamic rule. Surveys and archaeological excavations conducted in the Petra region revealed numerous buildings and villages dating back to various Islamic periods, especially the Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluk, and Ottoman eras. Excavations in Taybeh uncovered a village dating back to the Umayyad period, while in Wadi Musa, several Abbasid-era buildings and olive presses were found. Inside Petra, the Ayyubids rebuilt and restored the Al-Wu'ayra and Al-Habis castles. These castles served as defensive fortifications during the Ayyubid period against the Crusaders, showcasing the strategic importance of Petra in the region. In Al-Beidha, a village from the Mamluk period was discovered, including two mosques, and other Islamic villages dating back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods were found in Khirbet Al-Nawafleh, Khirbet Bani 'Atta, and Khirbat al-Mu`Allaq on the Taybeh road.
Modern History
Rediscovered in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, Petra gained international fame, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World in 2007. Accordingly, tourist numbers have steadily increased over the years, with visitors flocking to see the ancient city's stunning architecture and rich history. Petra's popularity has also been boosted by its appearance in several famous films, which has cemented its status as a must-see destination.
Legacy of Nabataeans Petra
The Nabataeans excelled in creating a flourishing civilization in the desert of Jordan. They mastered water technology and trade, leaving a legacy of architectural marvels and cultural richness that reflected their innovative and adaptive spirit.
The Nabataeans crafted intricate tombs that were cut out of the mountainsides, alongside temples, a theater, and, post-Roman and Byzantine influence, added colonnaded streets and churches. The Nabataean city showcases over 10,000 years of human settlement, blending natural, cultural, and archaeological wonders into a cohesive historical tapestry.
