The Ancient Middle East

The origins of Nabataean Petra began c. 300 BCE from nomadic settlement origins and extended to later Roman administration of the city at 106 CE with final Byzantine occupation (Basile 2000) to the 7th century CE. Trade networks that extended throughout much of the ancient orient and Mediterranean world intersected at Petra and brought not only strategic and economic prominence but also the impetus to develop water resources to sustain increasing population and city elaboration demands. City development was influenced by architectural, cultural, and technological borrowings from Seleucid, Syro-Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Far Eastern civilizations. The city water distribution system utilized many hydraulic technologies derived from these contacts that together with original technical innovations helped to maintain a high living standard throughout the centuries. Analysis of Nabataean piping networks indicates that design criteria were employed that promoted stable flows within piping, employed sequential particle settling basins to purify potable water supplies, promoted open-channel flow within piping at critical (maximum) flow rates that avoided leakage associated with pressurized systems, and matched spring supply rates to the maximum carrying capacity of pipelines. This demonstration of engineering capability indicated a high degree of skill in solving complex hydraulics problems to ensure a stable water supply and is a key reason behind the many centuries of flourishing city life. Because of Petra’s location between Egyptian, Babylonian, and Assyrian territories, many exterior influences dominated the Nabataean cultural landscape over time. The sacred spring created by Moses, as described in Exodus accounts, has been equated with the Ain Mousa spring outside of Petra although controversy exists as to its location (and historical accuracy) with contending Sinai sites. Biblical and Koranic references to areas around Petra relate to the use of water channels and springs by the inhabitants to maintain agriculture and settlements; Assyrian texts ascribed to the Sargonic era (715 BCE) mention tent cities in this area. The earliest proto-Nabataean period (6th century BCE) is derived from Edomite agriculturalists assimilating with nomadic tribal groups familiar with caravan-based trade activities. Although the origins of the Nabataeans remain controversial (Gleuck 1959, 1965; Taylor 2001; Guzzo and Schneider 2002), their final consolidation in areas around Petra in the early 3rd century BCE is evident from the archaeological record.