My trip to Jordan

[Kurben]

Hi!! I'll be posting some pics from my little vacation. We'll start in Petra, inhabited by the Nabateans from ca 300 bc onwards until the romans took over about 500 years later. They are the architects behind it.

This is the so called "Treasure Chamber" but if that is its function is unclear. It could have been a tomb too. Just more magnificent then others.

This is a Royal Tomb. It is also carved from the rock

This is also a Royal tomb. They are enormous. I was inside this one
This was just a little pretaste. I'll soon be back with more pics and tales. I have a pic of Lots wife, can you imagine?

 

[FlakeNoir]

Wow, imagine carving that into the rock?!
Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing more.

 

[Spideyman]

Fascinating and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Have they repaired the pillars in that first photo? Petra has fascinated me...I recall photos when I first learned of the...city...and the pillars I recall seemed...more worn. That is from the rain, right? The flash flood type thing that happens? Those pillars look...smooth...repaired at the bottom. Are they?

 

[king family fan]

just beautiful. Glad you got to enjoy.

 

[Autumn Gust]

Loving your photos already-- can't wait to see more.

 

[skimom2]

VERY interested in these! I know so little about the ancient Middle East.

 

[not_nadine]

Thanks, Kurben!

 

[Kurben]

Have they repaired the pillars in that first photo? Petra has fascinated me...I recall photos when I first learned of the...city...and the pillars I recall seemed...more worn. That is from the rain, right? The flash flood type thing that happens? Those pillars look...smooth...repaired at the bottom. Are they?

There was an earthquake that took place long time ago. It caused some damage so it has been repaired but it was a long time ago. They have a big system of dams and things to take care of water in different levels. You can see the channels and dams still today. They were very good engineers and architects. They are smooth because they are made in models of the greeks that were big before them. Petra is shielded by the cliffs which the royal tombs are not. Therefore these pillars are more worn by sand and wind. Also you must take in consideration the distance and light i took my pic in. It looks smoother than it is.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...glad to have you back my friend...and the pics and facts are truly fascinating...keep em coming...

 

[Sigmund]

Glad you had a wonderful time!

I'm enjoying the pics.

More stories and pics, please.

 

[Grandpa]

You can see how the third Indiana Jones movie was inspired, at least part of it. (Well after the Natufian culture, obviously )

Great stuff, Kurben - please keep posting!

 

[cat in a bag]

Wow, those are beautiful pictures! Can't wait to see and hear more about your trip!

Glad you had a safe journey and are back, Kurben.

 

[Sundrop]

This stuff fascinates me. Thank you, Kurben for posting the pics and details. I can't wait to see and learn more!!

 

[asoul]

Fascinating trip... Petra is so mysterious city. I already saw photos of Petra before. However, I have never saw that is in the inside of these buildings. I have few strange questions... Is there a big fireplace in any of Petra's buildings? Or a chimney? Or this is a group of only tombs...not dwelling houses?

 

[Out of Order]

I want to go!!!!!!!!

Beautiful pictures!

 

[doowopgirl]

Kurban, amazing photos! Better than in a book because one of our friends took them. We missed you around here.

 

[pegasus216]

Great photos!

 

[Kurben]

Fascinating trip... Petra is so mysterious city. I already saw photos of Petra before. However, I have never saw that is in the inside of these buildings. I have few strange questions... Is there a big fireplace in any of Petra's buildings? Or a chimney? Or this is a group of only tombs...not dwelling houses?

The big omes are tombs or "treasure chambers but there are a lot of holes in the cliffs that are not ornamented and they were probably dwelling places. The guys who lived here, the nabateans, were from the beginning nomads. Petra is basically a trading station that became a city. From the beginning they didn't live here but they became very rich through trade. They weresmack in the middle of the big caravan route from the east (India and all their spices and things) The ships went from india to Arabia and then by camel to Petra were the trade to Big countries like Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia were made.
There are no chimneys and the fireplaces that are found are outside. They made their food often in pits in the ground just like the Beduins do today. They had water channels that collected the water so they had always water. They were not really fighters. Petra was a place to trade. If they were attacked they often left and come back later for armies can't stay long in a desert. And one camel backs at least 400 kg of things. They could take the valuables with them in the knowledge that thearmy would be gone in a week or so. And to live in the desert was like a vacation for them.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

Great pictures Kurben. I would be tempted to go wandering off and do some discovering with a metal detector and trowel. Guess it's a good thing I stay away from sites of antiquity.