Petra was founded by the Nabateans (a nomadic Arab tribe). These people, formerly caravan raiders soon started controlling the trade in that region and by 87BC, Petra became the capital of the Nabateans. Petra enjoyed this monopoly till the 3rd century AD. Then it was hit by a terrible earthquake in the 6th century and never really recovered after that. It was then discovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer in 1812, these ruins dating back to 300BC and are a must see when in Jordan. I visited these ruins in July last ... (more)