# Petra (DD-114)

> Petra, in southern Jordan, was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, known for its rock-cut facades and water-conduit system. It remained known to local Bedouin, but was largely unknown to Europeans after the Crusades. In 1812 the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, traveling as 'Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah', persuaded a guide to take him there on the pretext of sacrificing a goat at the tomb of Aaron nearby. UNESCO listed Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985, and it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. It's Jordan's most visited tourist attraction. The footage shows renderings of Petra's facades and Burckhardt, with the presenter. This is No. 2 in his Seven Wonders of the New World series.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2023-12-10
- Last updated: 2023-12-10
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/petra/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1812**: Burckhardt reaches Petra
- **1985**: UNESCO lists Petra
- **2007**: Named one of the New 7 Wonders

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=petra

## Quick facts

- **DD-114-F01**: Petra was the Nabataean capital. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Nabataean capital))_
- **DD-114-F02**: It's known for rock-cut architecture and water conduits. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Rock-cut))_

## Write-up

A Swiss explorer in disguise reached Petra in 1812. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt posed as Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah.

1. **Nabataean capital**: Petra was the Nabataean capital.
2. **Rock-cut**: It's known for rock-cut architecture and water conduits.
3. **Burckhardt, 1812**: Burckhardt reached Petra in 1812 in disguise.
4. **World Heritage**: UNESCO listed it in 1985.
5. **New 7 Wonders**: It was named a New 7 Wonder in 2007.

## Related case files

- [Kailasa Temple (DD-605)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/kailasa-temple/): I paired it with another rock-cut wonder
- [Thera (DD-196)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thera/): I linked another ancient site

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Lost' to the western world: local Bedouin always knew it, so 'rediscovered' only applies to Europeans.
- **Note**: 'Burkhardt' in one caption; the usual spelling is Burckhardt.
- **Note**: 'No. 2' is the order of his own series; the New 7 Wonders aren't ranked.

## Video: Petra: A Swiss Explorer in Disguise Reached Petra in 1812

- Duration: 39.8 s · Published: 2023-12-10
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0slNxdtBuE.mp4

### Transcript

The Seven Wonders of the New World No. 2 Petra DID YOU KNOW? Petra, an archaeological site in Jordan known for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, was lost to the western world for centuries. Despite being a significant city in ancient times, Petra became a lost city as its existence was largely forgotten by the western world during the medieval period. The city was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burkhardt in 1812. Burckhardt posing as a Bedouin and using the name Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah, infiltrated the region and convinced the locals to guide him to the ancient city. His rediscovery brought Petra back to the attention of the world It has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Jordan's most visited tourist attractions. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Whose capital was Petra?**  
A: In southern Jordan. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Nabataean capital) · Wikipedia: Petra)_

**Q: What is Petra known for?**  
A: And water conduits. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Rock-cut) · Wikipedia: Petra; UNESCO World Heritage: Petra)_

**Q: Who reached Petra in 1812?**  
A: In disguise. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Burckhardt, 1812) · Wikipedia: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt)_

**Q: When did UNESCO list Petra?**  
A: As World Heritage. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Petra)_

**Q: When was Petra named a New 7 Wonder?**  
A: July 7, 2007. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (New 7 Wonders) · Wikipedia: Petra)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Petra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra)
- [UNESCO World Heritage: Petra](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/326/)
- [Wikipedia: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Ludwig_Burckhardt)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Petra." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-114, last updated Dec 10, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/petra/