Petra lost city of Stone

Prepared by,Miral Kaloliya Department of Architecture

Human settlement

PETRA An ancient Nabataean city in western Jordan with massive facades

carved out of red sandstone

‘Petra’ is the Greek word for ‘rock’. Petra was probably Sela (‘rock’) or Mount Seir in the Old Testament. The Idumeans were later displaced by the Nabataeans whose greatest

king was Aretas IV (9 BCE to 40 CE).

WHY THIS LOCATION?

Because of the ancient world trade route passing through the Petra and Nabataean are ancient trader. Trading make them wealthy.

THREE WAYS INTO PETRA

1. Ride a horse

2. Ride a horse carriage

3. Walk

KEY FEATURES OF NABATAEANS CITY

1. The Treasure2. Underground water tank3. Amphitheatre4. Piped water supply 5. Tunnel for protect The Treasure

1. The Treasure

It was the 39 m high carved structure

It was carved form sand stone It represent the influence of Roman and Greek style Top down construction

technologyCarved blocked was used for

another construction

2. UNDERGROUND WATER TANK

There are 200 underground water tank for waterStored water is used for the dry season

3. AMPHITHEATRE

Amphitheatre for 3000 people

The channel on the right was for drinking and was lined with clay pipe.

4. PIPED WATER SUPPLY

2 rock-cut channels brought water from the Ain Musa into Petra; the channel on the left

was for non-drinking purposes

5. TUNNEL FOR PROTECT THE TREASURE

Tunnel was almost 300 m long for protect the The Treasure

It convoy water away from The Treasure

Bedouins used to live in these caves till the government resettled them in the 1980s

A well that still works

The Bedouins agreed to move as they were given the exclusive right to sell souvenir products in Petra

The decline of the city began with an earthquake in 363 CE

Thank you