البتراء / Πέτρα

I’ve been smitten with Petra ever since being introduced to it by my Brown University archaeology professor Dr. Martha Sharp Joukowsky, who excavated the Great Temple of Petra (and whose courageous parents are featured in a new documentary directed by Ken Burns). I had the opportunity to visit Petra a few years ago when I gave talk in Jordan at the World Archaeology Congress (we explored this impressive World Heritage site as a group). So I was sorry to read today that tourists are staying away from this jewel of cultural heritage in Jordan — and the lack of revenue is threatening its preservation.