Ancient Archaeology and World Heritage

Ad Deir, widely known as the “The Monastery” is a mid-first century CE structure carved out of rock, in the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, located in modern day southern Jordan. Considered to be one of the largest structures in Petra, the Monastery is approximately 47 meters in height and 48 meters in width. Ad Deir (The Monastery) at Petra The Monastery is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Rabbel II Soter who was the last ruler of the Nabataean Kingdom, reigning for a period of 36 years from 70 CE to 106 CE. The architecture of the Monastery displays the classical Nabataean style , which is a blend of Hellenistic and Mesopotamian styles of construction.  The architecture of the Monastery displays the  classical Nabataean style The Hellenistic influence can be seen in the columns of the Monastery. The columns of the Monastery displays the  Hellenistic   style of construction The Mesopotamian style is evident in the single, large entrance and the plain, wi

Al-Khazneh, widely known as the Treasury is an elaborate rock cut tomb in Petra , a city of the Nabatean Kingdom (312 BCE – 106 CE) located in Southern Jordan . Al-Khazneh is estimated to have been constructed during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas IV of Philopatris  (reigned approximately from 9 BCE to 40 CE). It  was carved out of a sandstone rock face and is estimated to be almost 40 meters in height. Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) at Petra The first glimpse of Al-Khazneh upon exiting the Siq, the narrow gorge which leads visitors into Petra The name Treasury is attributed to the legends surrounding the urn made of sandstone which sits high on the second level of the monument . The local Bedouins believed that the urn contained treasures. This myth is linked to the biblical legend of Moses and the Israelites escaping from Egypt. As per the local belief, the Egyptian Pharaoh and at least part of his army escaped the closing of the Dead Sea and continued after Moses. The Pharaoh