-----------------
-----------------
-----------------
|
|
We visited the ancient city of Petra, in the south of Jordan.
It's approached via this chasm (siq) through the rock.
This part of the siq even has some of the limestone paving installed by the Romans.
|
|
| Here's the siq from above.
It's a bit over a kilometer long (originally formed by an earthquake), and made the city very easy to defend.
|
| Running along each side are channels to bring water into the city.
|
|
| A dramatic entrance to Petra - The Treasury
|
The Treasury is so called because of the urn that appears at the top of the carving above the entrance, once thought to contain treasure.
Some of the damage around the urn, and other parts of the façade, is the result of attempts to break in and steal it.
The Treasury, like most of the other rock carvings at Petra, was originally built - around 2000 years ago - as a tomb.
|
|
| Excavations continue.
In recent years, they've uncovered another storey at the Treasury.
Carved just below the main entrance shown above is this smaller entrance.
|
| The Street of Façades is made up of a large number of less elaborate tombs.
|
|
Next
page...
|
