Approximately 2,000 years ago, the influential ancient Nabatean civilization intricately carved a city directly into the sandstone rock faces of what is now Petra, Jordan. This historic site features a prominent, 12-pillared edifice that has come to be called the Treasury.
Ever since, archaeologists have tried to determine the purpose of the structure, with some suggesting that it might have been a mausoleum constructed as the ultimate burial site for a key leader of this period.
Currently, a group of scientists has achieved what they describe as an "astonishing" finding: beneath the Treasury, alternatively referred to as al-Khazneh, lies a concealed chamber housing the remnants of twelve individuals along with various artifacts. These discoveries might ultimately unveil the mysteries surrounding this edifice and provide insights into the roots of Petra, which holds the status of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 .
The finding is "remarkable," according to Pearce Paul Creasman, the executive director of the American Center of Research, who oversaw the excavation. He shared this with The Washington Post via email. "This effort could illuminate details about The Treasury’s structure and age. The artifacts we unearthed have significant potential for revealing insights into the early history of Petra and perhaps even shedding light on the beginnings of the Nabataean civilization."
"We were completely astonished by the unveiling of this concealed room," stated Josh Gates, the host of the Warner Bros. TV show "Expedition Unknown." He made these remarks during a segment that highlighted the finding in a two-episode special broadcasted last week. news release .
Creasman mentioned that the human remains might provide insights into how the Nabataeans—who ruled from around the 4th century BC to AD 106—lived and conducted burials. He is optimistic that it may also be feasible to extract ancient DNA from these remains.
Creasman mentioned that these excavations might also provide deeper insights into the environment where Petra's inhabitants flourished. He explained, "Although today Petra, known as the Rose City, appears arid, it was previously much more verdant. I believe we have the potential to draw lessons from history to enhance our shared future."
In 2003, Jordanian archaeologists initially uncovered concealed tombs near the Treasury, which has since become a major attraction for tourists, as stated by Creasman. Although these experts believed that a burial chamber lay beneath the Treasury, they "did not have enough time" to finish their investigation, Creasman mentioned in an email.
Early this year, Creasman mentioned that his team collaborated with the Jordanian government to verify the presence of the tomb and begin examining its contents. They employed advanced technology such as radar-powered remote sensing equipment to pinpoint the tomb’s location. According to Creasman, the tomb had been concealed beneath layers of debris accumulated over time due to probable natural calamities and the building of the structure known as the Treasury overhead.
As soon as they started digging up the tomb, the researchers discovered at least 12 sets of bones along with artifacts that might have accompanied the dead individual—such as a clay pot that Gates said appeared almost exactly like the Holy Grail shown in Steven Spielberg’s 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,' which was filmed at the Treasury.
“It was the ultimate moment of life imitating art,” he said.
The legendary Holy Grail, believed to be the vessel used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, served as the central objective in Indiana Jones’s adventure in the 1989 film. It was discovered within the Treasury, protected by a centuries-old Crusader Knight. This revered chalice also attained prominence through its association with the tales of King Arthur.
Creasman stated that the "most thrilling" part of the discovery is the architecture of the hidden tomb since its construction and usage are quite distinctive within the context of Petra.
“The implications of those ancient construction decisions encourage us about the likelihood that there will be more important new discoveries to be had at The Treasury, as excavations progress,” he wrote.
However, numerous queries regarding the Nabataeans and their city persist. "We still have so much to discover about the Treasury," stated Creasman in the Warner Bros. interview. news release One significant unresolved query remains: "When was this impressive structure constructed, and what was the reason behind it?"
He stated that the one certainty was, "This dig is getting us nearer to solutions than we've ever been before."
Post a Comment