In the center area there were Temples, Shrines, Fountains and a large Market area. Many of the areas are still in ruins suffering from two major earthquakes. The first was in 363 CE toppled many of the most important buildings and homes of the people. Much was rebuilt, only to fall again in 551 CE after another earthquake. The double earthquake whammy combined declining income from incense trade spelled problems for Petra. The trade in incense was what had kept the Nabataeans wealthy but the trade routes shifted and the incense now sailed to Europe from Syria. Petra declined but was never fully abandoned, only a small number Bedouin lived there. It was re-discovered by the western world in 1812 by a Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burkhardt.
A one mule shack
Goats up on the cliff
The goats are tiny specks
This is the most intact building in Petra, the Qasr al-Bint, it survived the earthquake of 363 which wiped out many of the buildings
We could not enter as the building did not look so stable the walls are 77 feet tall
They used juniper planks and solid foundations for this temple dedicated to Dusahra
The water diversion canal in the middle
Showing off on the donkey
All the Donkeys are lined up to take people up to the Monastery, some 850 steps
The rubble on this hill shows how much of Petra is still in ruins
The foundations for the homes of the inhabitants it is believed 25,000 people lived in this valley
The Temenos Gate to Trajan's Market It was 55 feet wide
Here is how the gate looked
Details on the gate
The gate had three arches and was very tall, seen in front of the Shrine
The Great Temple was excavated in the help of Brown University
A camel in the rocks, two humps
The colonnade was the major shopping district
The road along the market
Still lots of Rubble
There is a 400 year old pistachio tree at this fountain the Nymphaeum
No pistachios for us
But a nice spot of shade
A very interesting rock sticking out of the rubble
Mr. Ed's place
Sleepy puppy
Dog and balloon
The Roman road
Further up to the back of the Great Temple
From where we sat for our lunch
Columns stretching out
Such detail
The side of the Great Temple
Hexagonal flooring in the temple
