Another Trip to Petra

Here I am at the overlook near the High Place of Sacrifice at Petra today

Greetings,

I could not post last night because I could not get access to the internet in Petra. Thursday was our last regular day of excavation at the site. We let the workers go home about 9:30AM and we left the site about 11AM.

A group of 10 of us traveled to Petra. I went along with the six from Kansas City, Don Garner, and Emily Dew. We had a good trip and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Tomorrow is another day off, so we have time to rest, do some work in the notebooks, and wash clothes one more time in a bucket.

I will put more pictures from Petra up tomorrow but here are a few.

Here is the group at the beginning of the climb to the High Place. Nine of us walked up to high place this morning. They say that there are over 600 steps to the top but to be honest I did not count them.

This is the place of sacrifice at Petra. It was constructed by the Nabataeans in the first century BC. It was dedicated to two gods, Dushara, the god of strength, and al-Uzza, the goddess of water and fertility. Grain, wine, and animal sacrifices took place here.

Here Dr. Michael VanZant demonstrates where the sacrifices were made (there is no evidence that the Nabataeans sacrificed humans).

Near the High Place is a scenic overlook of the entire area.

Since it is quite late here in Jordan, I will end for tonight and post more about the trip tomorrow.

John Wineland
Karak, Jordan