Roman Structures > Petra Structures
Petra Structures
Background
The ancient stone city of Petra incorporated a wide variety of hydraulic technologies and structures that allowed the retention of a vast supply of fresh water despite the harsh arid climate of the region. The origins of Petra are shrouded in mystery however, archaeologists presently attribute the construction of the city to the Nabataeans where it was the capital of their small regional kingdom. The city served as a hub for the lucrative caravan trading network that existed from Asia to Europe and into Africa and possibly beyond.
The nature of the city and its position in the trading network meant that it was at the center of many of the greatest civilizations of antiquity and incorporated technology from all of them in sustaining the water consumption requirements and more for the population. In order to meet resource demands this massive city needed a vast supply of water that was supplied via an impressive array of structures including water channels, aqueducts, dams, cisterns and reservoirs and much more. Archaeologists are also constantly uncovering new hydraulic technologies as well.
In conclusion the hydraulic technologies employed at Petra mark some of the greatest achievements of the Nabataeans and later Romans. Without the implementation of the massive underground water structures and other technologies the developments such as the massive Treasury and other rock-cut structures would have never been possible.
In addition to providing sustenance and water that was necessary for maintaining an urban population the public displays of water served far more purposes. In addition to being public displays of wealth and power the fountains, pools and water structures were a massive status symbol and represented man conquering the environment. As such the resource of water was worshiped in the Nabataean religion and served as a key component.
