(MUSIC)
Discoveries and creations.
Petra, the secret of the desert.
Millions of years ago, in modern-day Middle East
huge walls of rock rose up east of Jordan River.
These mountains kept an astonishing secret for more than 2,000 years.
So it was until 1812
when a young Swiss traveller, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, unveiled it.
Burckhardt, in Arab merchant garb
was leading an expedition through Palestine
when some nomads told him about a lost city
concealed inside a mountain.
He didn't think twice and went in search of the city.
He followed his guides to a gorge with walls so narrow
that sunlight couldn't reach it
but suddenly, from darkness to light, the marvelous discovery was revealed.
An enormous structure carved out on the very walls of the mountain.
As he walked into the sandstone ravines, Burckhardt saw a vast number of monuments
scattered over the canyon walls.
Since only his disguise could help him to avoid certain death
he concealed his joy among the Bedouin scouts
always vigilant in their effort to protect their culture.
Being an expert historian, he soon realised his magnificent finding
a civilization unknown to the West: the hidden city of Petra.
Founded in the late seventh century BC by the Edomites
it was taken in the sixth century BC by the Nabataeans.
They made the city thrive using the trading routes
which transported incense, spices and luxury goods
between Egypt, Syria, Arabia and the southern Mediterranean.
By the eighth century, changes in trading routes
and devastating earthquakes drew people away from the city.
Petra was forgotten until the modern age
when it was rediscovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
Today, although only part of the city has been dug out
archaeologists believe it must have been 15 square kilometers.
In the middle of the harsh desert
the hands of the Nabateans built a theatre for 8,000 people
on a mountain slope, a building 45 metres tall
and, inside the caverns, sumptuous royal tombs.
According to Bedul lore
Petra is where Moses used his staff to strike the rock and create a spring.
It is thought that the first building the Swiss explorer saw
known by Bedouins as "The Treasure", was commissioned by the Pharaoh
and concealed his fortune inside an urn atop the mountain.
Throughout the centuries, despite Bedouin shooting at the urn
hoping to release a stream of gold, nothing ever happened.
It is said that Petra was populated by 30,000 people 2,000 years ago.
a time when Jesus wandered around Galilee less than 300 kilometres away.
Petra, whose wall inscriptions speak for themselves
show mighty kings ruling democratically
omnipotent gods and victories in major wars
followed by great succulent feasts to celebrate.
This was Petra, the best kept secret of the desert.
Script and production: Jorge Arjona. Voice-over: Juan Ramón Andrés.