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Jordan, Petra's rescue

69 images Created 30 Sep 2009

JORDAN, THE MAN THAT COULD SAVE PETRA
When visited Petra for the first time in 1982 Talal Akasheh, a professor of physical chemistry at Jordan's Hashemite University, was surprised by the beauty of the site but perhaps more by the damage that time and the elements had wrought on the monuments of one of the world's most revered cultural sites. This 2,500-year-old city was a natural stronghold for a desert tribe, the Nabataeans, who controlled the trade routes of the region. They built a sophisticated city with a system of dams, cisterns, pipes and channels to guard it from sudden floods. At its peak Petra may have sheltered 25,000 citizens but from the 3rd century natural disasters and political tides gradually eclipsed it until 1812 when the Swiss explorer Burckhardt rediscovered Petra, added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1985. The chemistry of red, sulphur and orange of his sandstone monuments dissolve grain by grain this ancient wonder. Desert winds, sun, rain, flash floods, and tourism add their irresistible weight to the erosion. Talal Akasheh has dedicated 26 years to help save Petra. <<Water is the most important element - explains - It gets into the pores of the rock, evaporates and condenses, dissolving the minerals, depositing their crystals which then grow and crack the rock>>. The Geographic Information System database (GIS) he developed, earning him a Rolex Award in 2008, offers managers of the archaeological park knowledge they need and archaeologists a new way to analyse the monuments. By 2008, the GIS's 10-gigabyte memory collated 2.000 monuments and the next step will be a 3D documentation, to study the salt content of the weathered monuments and possibly restoring the Nabataean drainage system. <<Petra must return to the desert sands but how long it endures depends on how it is cared for today-Akasheh explains - We want it to last as long as possible, and good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone>>.

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  • The Siq, 1.2 km long canyon that was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. in the back the Khazneh, the "Treasury", generally tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310002.jpg
  • The beautiful facade of the Khazneh, the "Treasury"or "Pharaoh's Trasury", generally tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king. The local inhabitants of Petra believed the urn on the top held the hidden treasure of the Pharaoh.
    em2310010.jpg
  • The Khazneh, the "Treasury"or "Pharaoh's Trasury", generally tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310016.jpg
  • Outer  Siq, the Streets of Facades, an extraordinary mass of tombs (44) facades on several levels and four "streets".
    em2310017.jpg
  • Outer  Siq, the Streets of Facades, an extraordinary mass of tombs (44) facades on several levels and four "streets".
    em2310018.jpg
  • em2310021.jpg
  • em2310022.jpg
  • em2310023.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.
    em2310024.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Silk Tomb.
    em2310025.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Urn Tomb, tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310026.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Urn Tomb, tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310027.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Urn Tomb, tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310029.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Urn Tomb, tought to have been the tomb of a Nabatean king.
    em2310030.jpg
  • Habees High Place, probably a private place of worship. In the back the Crusader Fortresson Al-Habees.
    em2310031.jpg
  • The Triclinium, with the most spectacular interior of any monument at Petra, probably a funerary banqueting hall for those buried in the Roman Soldier Tomb opposite.
    em2310032.jpg
  • Ad-Deir, the "Monastery", boasts Petra's largest facade (50 metres wide and 45 metres high). Ad-Deir was probably a Nabatean temple  with strong architectural parallels with the Khazneh.
    em2310037.jpg
  • Ad-Deir, the "Monastery", boasts Petra's largest facade (50 metres wide and 45 metres high). Ad-Deir was probably a Nabatean temple  with strong architectural parallels with the Khazneh.
    em2310039.jpg
  • Few families of Bdul clan still live in Petra rock-cut houses
    em2310041.jpg
  • Few families of Bdul clan still live in Petra rock-cut houses
    em2310043.jpg
  • Siq al-Barid, or "Little Petra", was a self-contained satellite community of Petra. Siq al-Barid, a diminutive version of Petra, was probably a caravanserai where the camel caravans that came to trade at Petra stopped to do business and to rest before completing their journeys.
    em2310046.jpg
  • Wadi Musa, craftman with "sand bottles"
    em2310047.jpg
  • Wadi Musa, souvenirs with bottles full of sand  with different motifs.
    em2310048.jpg
  • The Colonnades Street, in the back the Royal Tombs.
    em2310052.jpg
  • After visiting Petra for the first time in 1982 Talal Akasheh, a professor of physical chemistry at Jordan’s Hashemite University, was surprised by the beauty of the site but also appalled at the damage that time and the elements had wrought on the monuments. Akasheh has dedicated nearly three decades to protecting Petra from further deterioration. The GIS database system he developed to document all aspects of the site earned him a Rolex Award in 2008. Now with the Award funding, Akasheh is expanding the database to include more features and monuments.
    em2310406.jpg
  • After visiting Petra for the first time in 1982 Talal Akasheh, a professor of physical chemistry at Jordan’s Hashemite University, was surprised by the beauty of the site but also appalled at the damage that time and the elements had wrought on the monuments. Akasheh has dedicated nearly three decades to protecting Petra from further deterioration. The GIS database system he developed to document all aspects of the site earned him a Rolex Award in 2008. Now with the Award funding, Akasheh is expanding the database to include more features and monuments.
    em2310407.jpg
  • To gather data for his geo-archaeological system (GIS), a assistant of prodfessor Talal Akasheh use a teodolite in front of the Obelisk, one of the most important monuments of the Siq, the small canyon that gives access to Petra. With the next step of the project Akasheh, will complete a website for the Jordanian authorities, who can better manage the site, and academicians . He also intends to create a 3D documentation method as well as a non-destructive technique to study the salt content of the weathered monuments.
    em2310431.jpg
  • To gather data for his geo-archaeological system (GIS), a assistant of prodfessor Talal Akasheh use a teodolite in front of the Obelisk, one of the most important monuments of the Siq, the small canyon that gives access to Petra. With the next step of the project Akasheh, will complete a website for the Jordanian authorities, who can better manage the site, and academicians . He also intends to create a 3D documentation method as well as a non-destructive technique to study the salt content of the weathered monuments.
    em2310434.jpg
  • To gather data for his geo-archaeological system (GIS), a assistant of prodfessor Talal Akasheh use a teodolite in front of the Obelisk, one of the most important monuments of the Siq, the small canyon that gives access to Petra. With the next step of the project Akasheh, will complete a website for the Jordanian authorities, who can better manage the site, and academicians . He also intends to create a 3D documentation method as well as a non-destructive technique to study the salt content of the weathered monuments.
    em2310442.jpg
  • To gather data for his geo-archaeological system (GIS), a assistant of prodfessor Talal Akasheh use a teodolite in front of the Obelisk, one of the most important monuments of the Siq, the small canyon that gives access to Petra. With the next step of the project Akasheh, will complete a website for the Jordanian authorities, who can better manage the site, and academicians . He also intends to create a 3D documentation method as well as a non-destructive technique to study the salt content of the weathered monuments.
    em2310444.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb. Petra is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites, but time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.
    em2310449.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb and es-Siq Triclinium.
    em2310451.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb and es-Siq Triclinium.
    em2310452.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb and es-Siq Triclinium.
    em2310453.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", the most celebrated icon of Petra is opened to the torists on some nights. This ancient Nabatean city is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310458.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", the most celebrated icon of Petra is opened to the torists on some nights. This ancient Nabatean city is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310465.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", the most celebrated icon of Petra is opened to the torists on some nights. This ancient Nabatean city is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310470.jpg
  • The Siq, a narrow canyon 1.2 km long, was the principal entrance to Petra from the east.
    em2310473.jpg
  • The Siq, a narrow canyon 1.2 km long, was the principal entrance to Petra from the east.
    em2310477.jpg
  • The Siq, a narrow canyon 1.2 km long, was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. A sculpture of a Nabatean, in the back a camel and a water pipeline that supplied Petra. The Nabateans built a sophisticated system of dams, cisterns, pipes and channels to guard it from sudden floods. At its peak Petra may have sheltered 25,000 citizens.
    em2310479.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites.
    em2310480.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310482.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310485.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310486.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb. Petra is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites, but time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.
    em2310488.jpg
  • The Bedouin Desert Patrol at the Kazneh. "The Treasure",is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites.
    em2310489.jpg
  • The Bedouin Desert Patrol at the Kazneh. "The Treasure",is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites.
    em2310491.jpg
  • The Bedouin Desert Patrol at the Kazneh. "The Treasure",is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites.
    em2310492.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310495.jpg
  • The Kazneh, "The Treasure", is the most celebrated icon of Petra, one of the world’s most revered cultural sites. But time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.  How long it endures depends on how it is cared for today. Akasheh acknowledges, it must return to the desert sands: “Some monuments have disappeared and some are more affected than others. It is natural for man to respect his past, to want it to last as long as possible. And good documentation of the site keeps its memory safe, even after it is long gone”.
    em2310497.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain. Weathering of the sandstone gives Petra its characteristic shapes and colours, but the chemistry that decks Petra’s ancient sandstone monuments in red, sulphur and orange hues is also secretly, grain by grain, dissolving this ancient wonder. Bone-stripping desert winds, rain and flash floods, scorching sun, teeming tourists and modern development add their weight to the erosion.
    em2310499.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain. Weathering of the sandstone gives Petra its characteristic shapes and colours, but the chemistry that decks Petra’s ancient sandstone monuments in red, sulphur and orange hues is also secretly, grain by grain, dissolving this ancient wonder. Bone-stripping desert winds, rain and flash floods, scorching sun, teeming tourists and modern development add their weight to the erosion.
    em2310503.jpg
  • The chemistry that decks Petra’s ancient sandstone monuments in red, sulphur and orange hues is also secretly, grain by grain, dissolving this ancient wonder. Bone-stripping desert winds, rain and flash floods, scorching sun, teeming tourists and modern development add their weight to the erosion.
    em2310510.jpg
  • The chemistry that decks Petra’s ancient sandstone monuments in red, sulphur and orange hues is also secretly, grain by grain, dissolving this ancient wonder. Bone-stripping desert winds, rain and flash floods, scorching sun, teeming tourists and modern development add their weight to the erosion.
    em2310511.jpg
  • The chemistry that decks Petra’s ancient sandstone monuments in red, sulphur and orange hues is also secretly, grain by grain, dissolving this ancient wonder. Bone-stripping desert winds, rain and flash floods, scorching sun, teeming tourists and modern development add their weight to the erosion.
    em2310512.jpg
  • The theatre view from a tomb. The badly weathered theatre is what remains of the theatre that was first built by Nabateans, heavily influenced by Roman architects. It was later refurbished by the Romans after they had annexed Petra.
    em2310514.jpg
  • Bab as-Siq (the "Gateway") was the principal entrance to Petra from the east. The Obelisk Tomb. Petra is one of the world’s most revered cultural sites, but time and tourism are damaging its monuments, carved into sandstone cliffs.
    em2310515.jpg
  • The Great Temple columns, literally sliced from devastating earthquakes. From the 3rd century on, natural disasters and political tides gradually eclipsed Petra until it was  abandoned and erased from the memory of all but local Bedouin.
    em2310518.jpg
  • The Great Temple columns, literally sliced from devastating earthquakes. From the 3rd century on, natural disasters and political tides gradually eclipsed Petra until it was  abandoned and erased from the memory of all but local Bedouin.
    em2310519.jpg
  • The Royal Tombs, the series of large tomb facades carved out of the west face of Al-Khubta mountain.The  Palace Tomb (left) and Corinthian Tomb (right).
    em2310521.jpg
  • The Great Temple. From the 3rd century on, natural disasters and political tides gradually eclipsed Petra until it was  abandoned and erased from the memory of all but local Bedouin.
    em2310524.jpg
  • These mosaics depicting animals and the seasons on the floor of Petra's Byzantine church, recently discovered, are included in Akasheh's information system.
    em2310528.jpg
  • These mosaics depicting animals and the seasons on the floor of Petra's Byzantine church, recently discovered, are included in Akasheh's information system.
    em2310529.jpg
  • Siq al-Barid, or "Little Petra", was a self-contained satellite community of Petra. Siq al-Barid, a diminutive version of Petra, was probably a caravanserai where the camel caravans that came to trade at Petra stopped to do business and to rest before completing their journeys.
    em2310534.jpg
  • Sandstones in varying colours tell a tale to geologists of desert winds and sudden floods. “The area around the city is covered with ancient farm terraces and dams, interesting graves and possible defensive structures on the high ground - Akasheh explains - If we leave it to the developers, we will never know what was there.”
    em2310538.jpg
  • View from Wadi Musa, in the back the archeological site.
    em2310545.jpg
  • The development of nearby tourist town Wadi Musa affects more and more the preservation of Petra.
    em2310552.jpg
  • Sunset on the canyons that gave access to Petra.
    em2310553.jpg
  • The Siq, a narrow canyon 1.2 km long, was the principal entrance to Petra from the east.
    em2310554.jpg
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