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Petra

Short answer: Petra, in southern Jordan, was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, known for its rock-cut facades and water-conduit system. It remained known to local Bedouin, but was largely unknown to Europeans after the Crusades.

In 1812 the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, traveling as 'Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah', persuaded a guide to take him there on the pretext of sacrificing a goat at the tomb of Aaron nearby. UNESCO listed Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985, and it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. It's Jordan's most visited tourist attraction. The footage shows renderings of Petra's facades and Burckhardt, with the presenter. This is No. 2 in his Seven Wonders of the New World series.

VideoWrite-up3 sources

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What should you know about Petra?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Petra was the Nabataean capital.

    DD-114-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Nabataean capital)

  2. It's known for rock-cut architecture and water conduits.

    DD-114-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Rock-cut)

Video transcript: Petra: A Swiss Explorer in Disguise Reached Petra in 1812

The Seven Wonders of the New World No. 2 Petra DID YOU KNOW? Petra, an archaeological site in Jordan known for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, was lost to the western world for centuries. Despite being a significant city in ancient times, Petra became a lost city as its existence was largely forgotten by the western world during the medieval period. The city was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burkhardt in 1812. Burckhardt posing as a Bedouin and using the name Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah, infiltrated the region and convinced the locals to guide him to the ancient city. His rediscovery brought Petra back to the attention of the world It has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Jordan's most visited tourist attractions. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 39.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonPetra · Instagram Reel
Petra: A Swiss Explorer in Disguise Reached Petra in 1812 Instagram Reel · · 39.8s

The write-up

A Swiss explorer in disguise reached Petra in 1812. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt posed as Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah.

  1. Exhibit A

    Nabataean capital

    Petra was the Nabataean capital.

  2. Exhibit B

    Rock-cut

    It's known for rock-cut architecture and water conduits.

  3. Exhibit C

    Burckhardt, 1812

    Burckhardt reached Petra in 1812 in disguise.

  4. Exhibit D

    World Heritage

    UNESCO listed it in 1985.

  5. Exhibit E

    New 7 Wonders

    It was named a New 7 Wonder in 2007.

Questions people ask about Petra

Whose capital was Petra?

In southern Jordan.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Nabataean capital) · Wikipedia: Petra

What is Petra known for?

And water conduits.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Rock-cut) · Wikipedia: Petra; UNESCO World Heritage: Petra

Who reached Petra in 1812?

In disguise.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Burckhardt, 1812) · Wikipedia: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt

When did UNESCO list Petra?

As World Heritage.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Petra

When was Petra named a New 7 Wonder?

July 7, 2007.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (New 7 Wonders) · Wikipedia: Petra

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Whose capital was Petra?

    1. The Nabataeans'
    2. The Romans'
    3. The Persians'
    4. The Ottomans'
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The Nabataeans' In southern Jordan. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Nabataean capital) · Wikipedia: Petra

  2. What is Petra known for?

    1. Rock-cut architecture
    2. Glass towers
    3. Ice palaces
    4. Wooden temples
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Rock-cut architecture And water conduits. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Rock-cut) · Wikipedia: Petra; UNESCO World Heritage: Petra

  3. Who reached Petra in 1812?

    1. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
    2. Hiram Bingham
    3. Howard Carter
    4. Marco Polo
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt In disguise. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Burckhardt, 1812) · Wikipedia: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt

  4. When did UNESCO list Petra?

    1. 1985
    2. 2007
    3. 1812
    4. 1960
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 1985 As World Heritage. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Petra

  5. When was Petra named a New 7 Wonder?

    1. 2007
    2. 1985
    3. 2000
    4. 2015
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2007 July 7, 2007. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (New 7 Wonders) · Wikipedia: Petra

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Petra." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-114, last updated Dec 10, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/petra/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/petra/ · Last updated

Markdown version

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