Petra



In the deserts of Jordan
 * //Where is Petra located? //

The Nabataeans
 * //Who were its inhabitants? //

They were a group of Arabian nomads as a desert traders and they had acquired control of the ancient incense and spice trade all over the Arabian Peninsula and also they were one of the most civilized peoples of antiquity. They harnessed precious water, enabling the population to soar to perhaps 20,000. They also  rected monumental tombs, memorializing their kings and leaders.
 * //What is/are its characteristics?//

They were very important because they memorialize their kings and leaders, they symbolize the eternity of the kings.
 * //How important were tombs in Petra? What did they mean? //

This city become an urban center by the end of the first century BC. The city grew along the natural contours of the landscape. The Nabataeans paved the road through the Siq, enabling wheeled vehicules to import quarried limestone used in city construction
 * //How did this city become an urban center? //

The planners did their best to impose an urban grid on this sprawling settlement. The Colonnade Street in Petra symbolize Rome's political presence because this is based on the straight road along the central marketplace that Rome's cities have.
 * //How was this city organized/planned? //

The mysterious and ancient city of Petra, is located in the deep desert of Jordan. The inhabitants of the city originally were the also enigmatic Nabataeans, a nomad group of Arabian Desert traders, in control of merchandising precious, rare, and luxury goods such as spices, textiles and incense. Petra is a wonderful example of incredible and very advanced engineering, architecture and urban organization. The Nabaeteans chiseled by hand many of the structures into the sandstone cliffs, and built more than 3000 rock-cut tombs, and breathtaking temples. Also as an urban center, it was extraordinary; the Nabaetean people developed such an advanced technology, that it allowed them to harness natural springs in order to sustain fertile crops, lush gardens and an impressive system of pools and reservoirs, all of which supported a booming population of 20,000 residents. For the time, this civilization was really unique, and highly developed. A clear example of organization, excellent planning and incredible architecture. It’s truly a shame that external and political circumstances made Petra be forgotten, but now is one of the seven wonders of the world. <span style="color: #800063; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> media type="file" key="petra.mp3" width="240" height="20"
 * PETRA PARAGRAPH **

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