Ancient Tomb with Skeletons Found in Petra, Jordan

petra, jordan - Researchers have discovered an underground tomb with twelve skeletons beneath Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.

An underground tomb with twelve skeletons has been unearthed beneath Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. The tomb is believed to have been constructed at the beginning of the 1st century. One skeleton was found holding a part of a broken jug, likely dating back to the 1st century BC. The Treasury serves as the centerpiece of a city carved into the rocks 2000 years ago by the Nabateans, an Arab people.

The excavation is a collaborative effort between Jordanian authorities, the American Center of Research, and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Richard Bates, a professor at the Scottish university, describes the findings of the graves, skeletons, and grave goods as of 'international significance' due to the scarcity of intact Nabatean burials unearthed.

Bates believes that the discovery contributes to 'filling gaps in our understanding of the origins of Petra and the identity of the Nabateans.' The purpose behind the construction of the Treasury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by a million tourists annually, remains a mystery.