The Monastery

So far, no method has been found to determine when the history of Petra began. Evidence suggests that the city was founded relatively late, though a sanctuary may have existed there since very ancient times. This part of the country was traditionally assigned to the Horites, probably cave-dwellers, the predecessors of the Edomites. The habits of the original natives may have influenced the Nabataean custom of burying the dead and offering worship in half-excavated caves. However, the fact that Petra is mentioned by name in the Old Testament cannot be verified. 2 Kings 14. 7 seems to be more specific. In the parallel passage, however, Sela is understood to mean simply "the rock" (2 Chr. 25. 12). As a result, many authorities doubt whether any town named Sela is mentioned in the Old Testament.
This is a picture of The Monastery, Petra's largest monument, dates from the first century BC. It was dedicated to Obodas I and is believed to be the symposium of Obodas the god. This information is inscribed on the ruins of the Monastery.




















We ran into this little child, who, sad to say was "working", because he wanted to sell us a postcard of Petra for "one denari", he kept repeating. But he had a big smile on his face, so I gave him some chick peas, and Julie gave him some coins.