Jordan, Petra, Khazne Faraun
"Pharaos Treasure-House"
(February 9th 1998)
Olympus AZ-230, Film: Fuji 100 ASA negative, exposure: automatic
Petra is in the middle of Death Sea and dem Gulf of Aqaba.
The valley from Petra is reachable along Wadi Musa, alleged where Moses
stroked with his stick water from the rock. Nabataeans, a tribe arabic nomads,
settled here in 7th century b. C. near already resident Edomits being related
to Israels. inaccessible montains and favourable water supply afforded best
shelter. In the 2nd century b. C. Petra already covered an area from 10 km².
In Petra there was breeded camels, goats, sheeps and horses and cultivated
in terraces wine, olives and grain. But the immens wealth of Nabataeans was
explained by their monopoly of trade routes, on its was transportet incense,
Myrrhe, spices, pepper and ivory between Egypt, Arabia, India and China (silk
route). For customs Nabataeans - originally even robbers - proteged caravans
against attacks.
Not so much we know about the religion of the Nabataeans,
although many sacrificial places vor anymals in Petra was founded. Dushara
probably will was been the first Good, who later rendered with Dionysos.
Under the Romains and the progessive Christianity Petra lost its influence.
Also making pacts with curently the high and mighty - we can say lobbying
- nothonig could be done about that. although the caravan state shortly was
growing up in the 13. an 14. centuries to a trans-shipment centre and a toll
place, some time it was forgotten. Now it's a relict in the rock, hardly
written testimony about its exists. Now Petra gives more mysteries than answers
of archaeological questions.