The Lost Civilization of Petra

by Udi Levy

The Nabateans inhabited the Negev and Transjordanian desert around the time of Christ. A wealthy and largely peaceful people, they cultivated the desert and traded in spices and frankinsence from Saba, Persia, and India to the Mediterranean. They were among the first Christian converts who built some of the earliest churches in the Negev. All traces of this civilization disappeared for a thousand years until the rediscovery of its capital, Petra, in 1812.The ruined splendour of their temples and cities now draws visitors to Petra and Shivta from all over the world. So much about this ancient civilization remains veiled in mystery, however. Udi Levy provides a fully illustrated description of the Nabateans, their art, history and religion, and the desert agriculture in which they were so skilled. He weaves a fascinating picture of a peace-loving people developing their highly advanced culture in the war-torn region of Palestine. The book guides the reader through the best-preserved ruins and monuments of Petra and the desert cities of the Negev, and gives many practical tips for the visitor.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Udi Levy was born in Jerusalem in 1952 and grew up there bilingual in Hebrew and German. He studied social and special education in Switzerland. Levy is a co-founder of a community for people with disabilities in Israel, the director of a similar institution in Switzerland, an author, translator, and publicist. He lives in Switzerland.

Reviews

[Suzanne Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible and informative read only bettered by visiting the place itself. It is an impressive site. The Treasury bathed in the morning light did not disappoint and it was interesting to read the history of its development and fascination for Europeans when first encountered by a Swiss explorer in the 19th century.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found some very interesting tidbits before my visit to Petra, but was boring for me in parts.