The enigmatic Petra sculpted in the rock It continues to attract the attention of experts and fans, it is an unavoidable event when one visits Jordan. This construction carved into the rock It is a world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Many, perhaps, remember its emblematic facade from the final scene of the 1989 film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” And even today he continues to reveal secrets.
«The discovery has international importance “Since so far very few complete burials of the first Nabataeans have been recovered in Petra,” said Richard Bates, professor at the University of St Andrews, in a statement. »It is hoped that the graves, their grave goods and human remains will help fill the gaps in our knowledge about how Petra came to be and who the Nabataeans were,« he points out.
Current project
Their access was limited for a long time, but when researchers began to excavate they would never have suspected that they would find 12 skeletons in a burial chamber in exceptional condition. The first tomb of its kind and is located beneath the famous Petra Treasury. Until now, only tombs that had been looted or eroded by humidity had been found.
The archaeological project that made it possible is made up of the Department of Antiquities, the Petra Tourism and Development Authority, the Petra National Trust and the American Center of Research, headed by Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman. They consider that the bone remains found and a trousseau of bronze, iron and ceramic, could be about 2,000 years old. This place hidden among a rugged landscape could reveal more chapters of the history of the Nabataeans.
The researchers They have used radar to find buried objects and thus find evidence that there could be more tombs than initially believed. An argument that helped them obtain the necessary permission from local authorities to continue investigating. Finally, last August the excavation on the ground was carried out.
The next step will be perform a DNA test that helps solve the enigma of the identity of the buried bones. In 2003, the same team found two tombs buried under the left side of the Petra Treasury, and since then there has been speculation as to whether there are more mysteries hidden underground.
Other curiosities
About 200 kilometers from the capital, Petra is called ‘Lost city’, In the 6th century AD it was losing popularity. And in its heyday the city was home to 30,000 people. It was the transit point of numerous commercial caravans. At the same time, its location provided a safe place from any enemy and shelter from sand storms.
There is speculation whether it was born as a funeral city for the Nabataeans. Petra housed a large funerary center. Baptized by the Nabataeans as “the city for tomorrow” with hundreds of tombs. In addition to the Monastery and the Treasury, another notable point is the Altar of Sacrifices, which is located on the top of a mountain. In addition, you can find a theater that is believed to have accommodated 5,000 people.
He was the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt the one who found it again, in the 19th century. Today we only know less than a quarter of what once was, the rest remains hidden.
It should be noted that the buildings are oriented taking into account the equinoxes and solstices. Its designers took into account that in winter the light would enter directly through the main altar of the monastery, according to ABC Viaje.
Implications of the discovery
Tim Kinnaird, one of the researchers on the team, has pointed out that the tomb was most likely built as a mausoleum and crypt in the Nabataean kingdom in the early 1st century AD. C. for Aretas IV Philopatris. Like many tombs in the valley, few remains have been found in the tombs due to their use and subsequent reuse over the past two millennia.
This discovery has been recorded by Discovery Channel. And another aspect of it is that in the chamber it was found a skeleton holding a ceramic container. Host Josh Gates said: “When we saw what looked like a chalice, we all froze. It looked almost identical to the Holy Grail that appears in Indiana Jones. It was the definitive moment in which life imitates art».
Kinnaird highlights that what was found allows us to more accurately date the moment of construction of the Petra Treasury. And he highlights: «Until now we have worked with assumptions and conjectures: tHaving a definitive date will be a monumental achievement for everyone.”
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