Petra: Splendors of the Nabataean Civilization

Petra: Splendors of the Nabataean Civilization by Ossorio, Francesca Arianna. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9788854404458.

Nestled in the mountains of Jordan, Petra is the most spectacular ancient city remaining in the modern world. This fascinating volume takes readers on a memorable journey through this wonderland of hundreds of temples, tombs, and elaborate buildings carved out of solid stone. Tracing the origins of Petra to prehistoric times, the text describes its evolution, demise, and eventual rediscovery in 1812. Throughout the book, archival photographs showcase the remarkable architecture and readers are given the opportunity to explore al-Khazueh, "The Treasury," one of the most impressive of Petra’s monuments. Other remarkable sights include the 8,000-seat amphitheater, Petra Church with its beautifully preserved mosaics, and al-Deir or "The Monastery" perched high on a cliff, all vividly depicted in the photography of this handsome volume. With text contributed in part by the distinguished American Center of Oriental Research in Amman, this authoritative resource is essential reading for archaeologically-minded travelers and anyone interested in ancient history.