What was the Treasury at Petra used for?
The purpose of the Treasury is unclear: some archaeologists believed it to be a temple, while others thought it was a place to store documents. However, the most recent excavation here has unearthed a graveyard beneath the Treasury.
Who was the Treasury at Petra built by?
King Aretas IV
The results of this excavation indicate that the Khazneh was built in the second half of the reign of King Aretas IV (18-40 AD). Aretas IV Philopatris (“who loves his people”), also known as “the Great”, ruled from 9 BC to 40 AD. His reign is considered the zenith of the Nabataean Kingdom.
How old is the Treasury at Petra?
Locations. In Petra Although the original function is still a mystery, The Treasury was probably constructed in the 1st century BC, However, in reality the urn represented a memorial for royalty.
Is the Treasury in Petra a tomb?
The Pharaoh’s Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is the most famous tomb of Petra. Its name derives from a local legend, according to which the urn at the top of the tomb’s facade is supposed to contain treasure hidden by the pharaoh.
What made Petra wealthy?
Petra began as a main stopping point for Nabataean and foreign traders. These nomadic merchants carried textiles, incense, spices, ivory, and other precious goods grown or manufactured in Arabia, Asia, and Africa. As the trade market grew, so did Petra. Trade brought more than wealth and exotic goods to Petra.
Who discovered Al-Khazneh?
explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
The rock city of Petra, and particularly “The Treasury,” building – or “Al Khazneh” as it was called for nearly two millennia before being discovered by the Western world in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who disguised himself as a Bedouin to gain access – is a young Wonder.
What is behind the facade at Petra?
Much like the Treasury (discussed above), ed-Deir was not a monastery, but rather behind its façade was a monumental cella (the inner chamber of a temple) with a large area for dining with a cultic podium at the back. While no traces of decoration remain today, the room would have been plastered and painted.
How old is Khazneh?
Al-Khazneh was originally built as a mausoleum and crypt at the beginning of the 1st century AD during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris. Many of the building’s architectural details have eroded away during the two thousand years since it was carved and sculpted from the cliff.
How old is Al-Khazneh?
The age of this building is not so great and makes about 2,000 years. Fortunately, the temple has preserved the carved sculptures and columns that adorn its façade. The height of the facade is about 40 meters, and the width – about 25 meters.
Are there bodies in Petra?
Petra has more than a thousand tombs carved in its rocky terrain. These tombs, carved by the Nabataeans between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD, served a dual function: they provided a safe and ‘eternal’ place of burial, while the decorated façade commemorated the individuals and families buried within.
Is Petra a necropolis?
The prominence of the tombs in the landscape led many early explorers and scholars to see Petra as a large necropolis (cemetary); however, archaeology has shown that Petra was a well-developed metropolis with all of the trappings of a Hellenistic city.
Where is Al Khazneh in Petra?
Al Khazneh. Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, is one of the most impressive sites of ancient Petra in Jordan. Al Khazneh, along with the other architectural sites of Petra, was hand carved from the beautiful red sandstone mountain. The Treasury suddenly comes into view at the end of a twisting, narrow 1.5 kilometer path.
What is the history of the Treasury of Al Khazneh?
Al-Khazneh was originally built as a mausoleum and crypt at the beginning of the 1st century AD during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris. Its Arabic name Treasury derives from one legend that bandits or pirates hid their loot in a stone urn high on the second level. Significant damage from bullets can be seen on the urn.
What is Al Khazneh famous for?
All About Archaeology. Al Khazneh: What is Al Khazneh? Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, is one of the most impressive sites of ancient Petra in Jordan. Al Khazneh, along with the other architectural sites of Petra, was hand carved from the beautiful red sandstone mountain.
Why is it called Khazneh al-fira’un?
The Arabic name “Khazneh al-Fira’un” (Pharaoh’s Treasury, short: al-Khazneh) comes from the local Bedouins’ believe that an Egyptian pharaoh had hidden a treasure in the urn on the top. Therefore they shot at this stone urn again and again in the vain hope that gold pieces and precious stones would fall out of it.