Petra: Theories About The Existence of Ancient Treasury
The Treasury or in Arabic called “الخزنة (Al-Khazneh)” is one of the most significant ancient structures in the city of Petra or what’s also called “The Lost City of Stone,” which served as a tomb for the Nabateans. It was built by the Nabataean architects around the first century A.C. Archaeologists believe that it was possibly built during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas the Fourth to store the corpses of the royal family. The Treasury called “The Treasury” because it was thought to contain valuable treasures of Pharaohs.
The Treasury or in Arabic called “الخزنة (Al-Khazneh)” is one of the most significant ancient structures in the city of Petra or what’s also called “The Lost City of Stone,” which served as a tomb for the Nabateans. It was built by the Nabataean architects around the first century A.C. Archaeologists believe that it was possibly built during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas the Fourth to store the corpses of the royal family. The Treasury called “The Treasury” because it was thought to contain valuable treasures of Pharaohs.
The Treasury is one of the most significant architectures in the city of Petra, an ancient city located in what was called the Kingdom of Nabataea, today it’s the kingdom of Jordan. Petra was founded by the Nabataean civilization, early pre-Islamic Arabs around the fourth century B.C, until it was conquered by the Romans around 106 A.C. To get to the Treasury, one must walk through an ally made by a crack in the cliff rock that leads to what is called the “Siq”[1]. The Treasury is surrounded by cliff walls, which acts as its natural protection fences. The Nabataeans did not choose this location randomly, they architects understood the dramatic feeling that the place gives to the visitor.[2
It was built by what’s believed to be imported architects around the first century A.C, which served as a tomb for the Nabatean royals.[3] The Treasury was carved into a cliff, in which the genius architects turned into a unique façade that represented a combination of art and architectures from major ancient cultures and civilizations of the Greek, Romans, Babylonians, and Egyptians. The design of the façade mostly adopts a Hellenistic style and tone in its carved Corinthian columns and their capitals, the relief statues carved out of the rock on each side of and on the central tholos[4], on the top and bottom resembling the Pagan Greek and Egyptian gods such as Castor and Pollux to protect travelers, goddess Isis-Tyche to bring fortune and many others whom were part of the Nabataean religion[5]. The design also consist of two pediments, the top pediments is broken and centralized by the tholos that is crowned by an Urn, the bottom pediment is shortened and decorated with symbols of vases, vegetation, and acroteria or ornaments[6].
Archaeologists believe that the Treasury was possibly built during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas the Fourth, who ruled from 9 B.C to 40 A.C, to store the corpses of the royal family. King Aretas IV is recognized as the most beloved and successful king among the Nabataeans[7], who defeated the Roman king of Judea Herod Antipas.[8] And known for building and improving the city of Petra. As a result he was famous for his victories and good deeds, which encouraged the building of this special tomb for him and his family, to be buried among the gods and live forever to keep bringing prosperity and fertility to the lands of the Nabataeans. The project may have been funded by the wealthy ones whom were the majority of the population.
The Treasury called “The Treasury” because it was thought to contain valuable treasures of Pharaohs, but evidence suggest that there is no proof of Egyptian ruling over the Petra, it’s influenced by the architecture and religion but does not show any signs ruling. Pirates and tomb raiders climbed the tomb and shot at it in hope to crack the rocks and find the treasure but nothing was found, unless it was taken by the Romans or the civilizations came after the Nabataeans vanished. However, the architectural spirit of the Nabataean still roams the city.
The Treasury tomb of Petra has survived through many ages. Served as a tomb for the Nabatean royal family of King Aretas the fourth. It was built by genius architects around the first century A.C. Archaeologists believe that the wealthy Nabateans funded the creation of this magnificent architecture appreciate the wealth and victory at the time. People until today still believe that the Treasury was literally a treasury for the Pharaohs, even though it was not ruled by Egyptians
References
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Tombs and Temples in Petra Fill an Ancient Metropolis with Mystery Series.” Chicago Tribune, Jan 11, 2004.
Avi-Yonah, Michael, and Shimon Gibson. “Petra.” Essay. In Encyclopaedia Judaica, edited by
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Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest, "The treasury, Petra, Jordan," accessed 2 Dec 2015,
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2003. 801. World History in Context. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
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