An ancient archaeological site in Jordan famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Also a feminine given name meaning 'stone' or 'rock.'
From Greek 'petra' meaning 'stone' or 'rock,' referring to the city carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans around the 4th century BCE. The name reflects both the city's literal construction from rock and its metaphorical strength and permanence.
Petra was completely lost to the Western world for over 1,000 years until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812 by disguising himself as an Arab merchant! The famous Treasury building you see in movies is just one of over 600 elaborate tombs and facades carved into the canyon walls.
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