Petra is a Greek word meaning rock, and the archaeological site of Petra, within the south west of Jordan, is renowned for its rock-cut architecture. Elaborately designed buildings that form a city are curved into a mountain of colorful rock, which stare dignifiedly at modern day visitors.
Petra was not discovered by the western world until 1812. Excavations of Petra have demonstrated that it was the ability of these industrious people to control the water supply that led to the rise of the desert city, in effect creating an artificial oasis. Archaeological evidence illustrated that the Nabataeans controlled flooding with inventions such as dams, cisterns and water conduits.
Petra was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985 and has recently been named one of the 'New Seven Wonders Of The World'.
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