SubjectSubject : Al Khazneh

Maria Karatzini

Evangelia Georgiadou

Panagiota Theodoridou

Al-KhaznehAl-Khazneh

AlAl--KhaznehKhazneh is one of the most is one of the most elaborate buildings in the elaborate buildings in the

ancient ancient Jordanian city of city of Petra. . As with most of the other As with most of the other

buildings in this ancient town, buildings in this ancient town, including the Monastery (Arabic: including the Monastery (Arabic: Ad Deir), this structure was also ), this structure was also carved out of a sandstone rock carved out of a sandstone rock

face. face.

It has classical It has classical Greek-influenced architecture,

and it is a popular tourist attraction.

HistoryHistory It is unknown as to why or exactly It is unknown as to why or exactly

when Al Khazneh was originally when Al Khazneh was originally built, probably between 100 BC built, probably between 100 BC and AD 200. Its Arabic name and AD 200. Its Arabic name

Treasury derives from one legend Treasury derives from one legend that bandits or that bandits or pirates hid their hid their loot in a stone loot in a stone urn high on the high on the

second level. second level.

Significant damage from bullets can Significant damage from bullets can be seen on the urn.be seen on the urn.

Local lore attributes this to Local lore attributes this to Bedouins, who are said to have , who are said to have

shot at the urn in hopes of breaking shot at the urn in hopes of breaking it open and spilling out the it open and spilling out the

"treasure" within (the decorative "treasure" within (the decorative urn, however, is solid urn, however, is solid sandstone).).

Another is that it functioned as a Another is that it functioned as a treasury of the treasury of the Egyptian Pharaoh of of

the time of the time of Moses (Khaznet (Khaznet Far'oun).Far'oun). Another is that it Another is that it

functioned as a treasury of the functioned as a treasury of the Egyptian Pharaoh of the time of of the time of

Moses (Khaznet Far'oun). (Khaznet Far'oun).Many of the building's architectural Many of the building's architectural

details have eroded awaydetails have eroded away

during the two thousand years during the two thousand years since it was carved and sculpted since it was carved and sculpted from the clifffrom the cliff.. The sculptures are The sculptures are

thought to be those of various thought to be those of various mythological figures associated with mythological figures associated with

the afterlifethe afterlife.. On top are figures of On top are figures of four eagles that would carry away four eagles that would carry away

the souls. The figures on the upper the souls. The figures on the upper level are dancing level are dancing Amazons with with

double-axes. double-axes.

The entrance is flanked by statues The entrance is flanked by statues of the twins of the twins Castor and Pollux who who lived partly on lived partly on Olympus and partly and partly in the in the underworld. There are burial . There are burial chambers on either side of a ramp chambers on either side of a ramp (enlarge image (right) to see) which (enlarge image (right) to see) which

were added in 1938.were added in 1938.

What to SeeWhat to See

The Treasury's The Treasury's façadefaçade has two has two levels, decorated with columns, levels, decorated with columns,

classical rooflines and badly classical rooflines and badly weathered sculptures. Perched weathered sculptures. Perched atop the façade is an atop the façade is an eagleeagle, a , a Nabataean (and Greek) male Nabataean (and Greek) male

deity symbol. deity symbol.

TThe central figure on the upper he central figure on the upper level tholos may be the fertility level tholos may be the fertility

goddess of Petra, goddess of Petra, El-UzzaEl-Uzza (associated to the Egyptian (associated to the Egyptian goddess Isis). The vertical goddess Isis). The vertical

footholdsfootholds on either side may have on either side may have been made to aid the sculptors. The been made to aid the sculptors. The

portal on the bottom level is portal on the bottom level is reached by small flight of steps, reached by small flight of steps,

and is flanked by mounted figures and is flanked by mounted figures believed to be believed to be Castor and PolluxCastor and Pollux, , sons of Zeus. sons of Zeus. IInside, a nside, a colossal colossal

doorwaydoorway dominates the outer court dominates the outer court and leads to an inner chamber of and leads to an inner chamber of 12 square meters.12 square meters. At the back of At the back of

the chamber is a sanctuary with an the chamber is a sanctuary with an ablution basinablution basin (for ritual washing), (for ritual washing),

suggesting that the Treasury was a suggesting that the Treasury was a temple or some other kind of holy temple or some other kind of holy place. The chamber can no longer place. The chamber can no longer be entered, but it is possible to look be entered, but it is possible to look

in from the doorway.in from the doorway.

What has become of it?What has become of it?

Al Khazneh has been inhabited Al Khazneh has been inhabited by many groups through the by many groups through the

centuries and was in fact, centuries and was in fact, uninhabited for many generations uninhabited for many generations until a Swiss adventurer-scholar until a Swiss adventurer-scholar

Johann Ludwig Burckhardt2 Johann Ludwig Burckhardt2 ‘rediscovered’ Petra on August ‘rediscovered’ Petra on August

22, 181222, 1812..

The site is one of the most beautiful The site is one of the most beautiful of Petra, and is of course included of Petra, and is of course included in Petra’s designation as a “World in Petra’s designation as a “World

Heritage Site,” so declared in 1985. Heritage Site,” so declared in 1985. The site hosts thousands of tourists The site hosts thousands of tourists from around the world. It has been from around the world. It has been featured in movies such as featured in movies such as Indiana Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeJones and the Last Crusade as well as well

as the move as the move Spyhunter.Spyhunter.

BibliographyBibliography

• http://www.allaboutarchaeology.org/al-khazneh.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra

• http://www.sacred-destinations.com/jordan/petra-treasury

• http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2010/02/petra-and-al-khazneh.html