FREE Resources About Petra

Are you learning about the Middle East, or about famous landmarks? Petra is an ancient city of ruins located in Jordan between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. It was once a great metropolis and trading center as the center of an Arab kingdom in the Hellenistic and Roman times.

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Now it is a hot spot for archaeologists and tourists. It is one of the most famous historical archaeological sites in the world. The city is located between desert canyons and mountains and was carved out of stone. How amazing is that?

It is also located in a desert climate with very little rain each year. These ancient people survived by creating an amazing water rain catch collection system with connected reservoirs, dams, and cisterns. 

When you look at photographs and videos of Petra it looks like something out of a movie. That’s because it actually was in a few movies!

Fun Fact: This famous landmark was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and also in The Mummy Returns.

More Facts about Petra:

• Petra is derived from a Greek word that means rock. 
• It was ruled and created by an ancient tribe called the Nabataeans.
• It became part of the Roman Empire in 106 A.D.
• One of the most famous historical archaeological sites.
• Most of the city was carved into sandstone cliffs.
• It was a famous ancient trade route between nomadic Arab peoples.
• There are over 800 carved tombs located there.
• It was abandoned and considered a lost city.
• There is a large amphitheater carved into the side of a mountain.
• It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
• In 2007 it was named one the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Find out even more about this ancient city with these FREE Printables:

Wonders of the World: Petra Reading Comprehension Vocabulary Printable – TPT

Petra, Jordan Coloring Page – TPT

World Heritage Site: Petra Facts and Worksheet Packet – Kids Konnect

A Trip to Petra Comprehension Quiz and Worksheets – Raz Kids

Online Resources, Websites and Articles:

Petra Facts for Kids – Kids Kiddle

Ancient Middle East: Petra – History.com

Visiting Petra, Jordan Online Slide Board Slide Show – TPT

Archaeology Up Close in Jordan – National Geographic

Ancient City of Petra Built to Align with the Sun – National Geographic

Petra History and Map – Brittanica

Travel and Virtual Tours:

Google Earth Virtual Tour through Petra to add to your Google Drive – TPT

Exploring Petra with Kids – Kids and Compass

Petra Historical Landmark in Jordan (there are some amazing photographs) – Abandoned Spaces

Picture Tutorial through Petra – Inditales

Visit the Ancient City of Petra with Kids – Where is the World

Ultimate Guide to Petra with Kids – Our Globe Trotters

My kids love these episodes, they are so much fun and it feels like you are right there!

Learn about the ancient water systems of Petra:

The Sophisticated Water Technologies of the Ancient Nabataeans – Ancient Origins

Learn about the Petra Water System  – Nabatea

Ancient Water Technologies of the Nabataeans – Ancient Water Technologies

Building Wonders: Hydraulic Engineering in Ancient Petra video and article from PBS Learning Media

Is your child interested in learning more about Archaeology?

You will love The Archaeology Student Notebook from Daily Skill Building. Students will use a combination of written narration and drawing alongside The Archaeology Book by Master Books to learn about ancient history and archaeological discoveries from the Middle East that demonstrate the reliability of Biblical accounts.

You may want to learn about other landmarks with these freebies and printables:

Wonders of the World Printable Cheat Sheets

FREE Resources on World Landmarks

Exploring Landmarks Notebooking Pages

FREE Architects and World Landmarks Fact Cards