Along the Road to Beidha

[AlanLichty]

Along the trail leading from Petra to the neolithic village site of Beidha is a small wadi (wash in SW US jargon) known as Little Petra since it has several tomb facades tucked back into what is almost a slot canyon. This is one of those facades - no fancy name for it and no clue inscriptions describing whose family this was carved for. The facade is recessed back far enough for this to be quite well preserved unlike a lot of the more exposed facades within the cliffs surrounding Petra itself.

Little Petra

• AlanLichty
• Feb 10, 2018

A unnamed tomb facade north of Petra.

C&C always welcome.

 

[Ben Egbert]

I am really liking this series Alan, It appears that there is a form of desert varnish playing out here. The workmanship is amazing.

 

[AlanLichty]

I am really liking this series Alan, It appears that there is a form of desert varnish playing out here. The workmanship is amazing.

You are correct in observing the desert varnish - it is not as pronounced in this facade as it is in others that are more exposed to the elements. I have some examples of where this actually gets pretty extreme with some pretty wild visual results.

 

[Mike Mancil]

Petra (IMO) ranks right up there with the Pyramids in mystery and intrigue. Your series has a real NatGeo feel, except better (your’s aren’t underexposed). Thanks for sharing.

 

[AlanLichty]

Petra (IMO) ranks right up there with the Pyramids in mystery and intrigue. Your series has a real NatGeo feel, except better (your’s aren’t underexposed). Thanks for sharing.

Thanks - most of the online images of Petra have colors that are absolutely laughable. The sandstone colors are jaw dropping but not in the ways I see presented on the internet.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool Alan! This is a great series. So it looks like underneath the structure they carved storage area's out too?

 

[AlanLichty]

Very cool Alan! This is a great series. So it looks like underneath the structure they carved storage area's out too?

This is the only example of what appears to be a basement I ever saw.

The stone "wall" in the openings below likely represent a reuse of the structure by bedouin after Petra was abandoned. There were quite a few tombs that got used as bedouin housing around Petra and several were still living in them as of when we were there in the 70's. I have had tea in a couple of those households.

The Jordanian government has moved all of the Bedul bedouin out of Petra and into a small housing development just to the north of what is now the national park.

 

[MonikaC]

This is great, Alan - I'm really enjoying this series. Keep 'em coming!

 

[BarryHamilton]

I too am enjoying this series, Alan. And I'm jealous of your trip as well!!
Very nice work.