PETRA

The petra is : originally known as Raqmu, is a historical and archaeological

city in southern Jordan. Petra lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin
among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah valley that run
from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is believed to have been
settled as early as 9,000 BC, and it was possibly established in the 4th century
BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were
nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra’s proximity to the trade routes by
establishing it as a major regional trading hub.
Religious significance The Nabataeans worshipped Arab gods and goddesses
during the pre-Islamic era as well as a few of their deified kings. One, Obodas
I, was deified after his death. Dushara was the primary male god
accompanied by his three female deities: Al-‘Uzzá, Allat and Manāt. Many
statues carved in the rock depict these gods and goddesses. New evidence
indicates that broader Edomite, and Nabataean theology had strong links to
Earth-Sun relationships, often manifested in the orientation of prominent
Petra structures to equinox and solstice sunrises and sunsets.[42] A stele
dedicated to Qos-Allah ‚Qos is Allah’ or ‚Qos the god’, by Qosmilk (melech –
king) is found at Petra (Glueck 516). Qos is identifiable with Kaush (Qaush)
the God of the older Edomites. The stele is horned and the seal from the
Edomite Tawilan near Petra identified with Kaush displays a star and crescent
(Browning 28), both consistent with a moon deity. It is conceivable that the
latter could have resulted from trade with Harran (Bartlett 194). There is
continuing debate about the nature of Qos (qaus – bow) who has been
identified both with a hunting bow (hunting god) and a rainbow (weather
god) although the crescent above the stele is also a bow.
Archaeological sites inside Petra Was discovered approximately 3,000
archaeological teachers in Petra, is a well-known landmarks, including about
800 teachers, including: first : AL Siq : Is the main road leading to the city of
Petra. It is a rocky structure that is about 1200 meters long and has a width of
3 – 12 meters and reaches a height of about 80 meters. Most of it is natural,
in addition to another part carved by the Nabataeans. The cog ends on the
opposite side of the safe.
Third: The Court It is a building consisting of a group of important facades, the
first of which is the „tomb of the jar”, dating back to the first half of the first
century AD, and is located on the opposite side of the Nabataean. The facade
is about 16 meters wide and 26 meters high. It consists of two floors of walls
that support the basements below the level of the vault hall, which are
integrated with burial chambers, part of which is carved and the other is
built. There is a ladder that ascends to the burial ground at the top. The vault
consists of a square shaped hall with a length of about 19 meters. The tombs
were in the back of the cemetery, but were converted into a church in the
fifth century AD. A Greek inscription mentions that the place was converted
to a church in 447 and written on the left rear of the wall.

Today, Petra is a symbol of Jordan and the most attractive tourist destination
in the Kingdom. It is also one of the most important tourist destinations for
world leaders.