Petra
Petra is an ancient city made by a people called the Naboteans. It is a city that was built within a collection of sandstone outcroppings that made a natural fort. Most of the buildings that have survived were not built, but carved out of the sandstone. Bedouins still live here is spite of government enticements to get them out. Since the recent peace treaty with Israel, walkways, restaurants, etc. have been built to accomodate increasing number of tourists.
This is probably the most well know building in Petra. It was carved entirely out of the sandstone cliff. Though it probably neverwas a treasury, it got its name from a sphere at the top. It was rumored to be filled with gold coins that would rain down on your head if you were to break it open. That why there are so many bullet hole in it and all around it. Inside it is a large chamber, about 25 feet square and about 20 feet high. Each wall has a doorway carved into it. One is the exit (which you see). The other three lead to smaller rooms.
I believe These are some of the royal tombs. Again they are carved out of the sandstone cliff.
A couple of the things indicating that this is a tomb are first, the stairway at the top of the picture. You can see part of the five or so steps carved into the top of each side of the tomb. This is to help the deceaced climb to heaven. Although its difficult to see, there are triangles, about a foot high, carved into the rock on either side of the doorway. They represent obolisks (like the Washington Monument) and they indicate the number of bodies within the tomb.
This was also carved out of the sandstone and could seat about 4000 people. This indicates that Petra was not a small, isolated community
You say you want a unique place to live? Here's something for you; a house carved out of a sandstone cliff. If you decide that you need a little more space, it's not a problem. Just get your pickaxe and dig out another room!
Hey, There's more to come, but we need to get the rest of the pictures developed