The mesmerizing sandstone cliffs of the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, have always been in the archaeological spotlight. This wonder is also famous in Hollywood as the location for several scenes in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade film.
Recently, these cliffs are in the limelight due to real discovery unearthed by a team of archaeologists.
The team led by Pearce Paul Creasman found 12 human skeletons and artefacts dating back at least 2000 years beneath the famed Khazneh in Petra.
According to Josh Gates, the host of Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown, “This is a hugely rare discovery. In the two centuries that Petra has been investigated by archaeologists, nothing like this has been found before.”
By using the ground-penetrating radar, the team found evidence of additional tombs beneath the iconic monument. The tomb contained the skeletal remains of 12 individuals, along with a mix of bronze, iron, and ceramic artefacts.
Among the artefacts also included ceramic chalice tucked in the arms of one of the skeletons, reminiscent of the “Holy Grail” exhibited in The Last Crusade.
“It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art,” Gates said.
However, Creasman expected to find more beneath these tombs which tell us about ancient people and their lives.
But thorough analysis of the bones and artefacts could unlock the deeper secrets about the Khazneh, Petra, and the lives of the Nabataeans who once inhabited the area.
Khazneh (The Treasury) located near the main entrance of Petra, is an iconic mausoleum carved directly into sandstone cliffs. It has always been a centre of attraction for tourists. From an archaeological point of view, this monument has proven difficult due to lack of any findings.