A grave was found under Petra’s treasury

From ancient in the rock-hewn city of Petra, under its famous treasury, a previously unknown tomb with the remains has been found.

Even those who have not been to Jordan have seen Petra’s most famous building. Al-Khazneh, or the treasure chamber, appears in many films, of which the most famous is probably Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In it, Indiana Jones was looking for the Grail in the chamber.

Graves were found on the other side of Al-Khazneh already 20 years ago. This year, an American-Jordanian team of archaeologists received permission from the Jordanian government to excavate on the other side as well.

In August, while a television crew was filming, researchers excavated a burial chamber where the remains of at least 12 people rested.

The Discovery channel presented the material last week, after which they also reported on the findings The New York Times and CNN.

Monet Petra’s tombs have been found empty or messed up, but in this chamber skeletons and grave goods were stored.

Among the well-preserved items were several dishes. One of the skeletons was holding a goblet, the shape of which resembled the Grail cup depicted in art.

The myth of the miracle-working object combines many kinds of fables. In the medieval legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table are searching for the Holy Grail. According to one story, Jesus drank from it at the last supper and on the cross his blood spilled into it.

However, the archaeologists’ discovery is not a miracle-working object. The researchers were excited about the view that the untouched 2,000-year-old tomb offers into the lives of the Nabataeans.

The Nabataeans were desert nomads who built Petra and ruled the area before it was conquered by Rome in 106 AD.

Archaeologists guess that more tombs can be found in Petra’s Al-Khazneh.

The space above the graves could also have been a burial chamber, although it is spoken of as a treasure chamber, where the pharaohs perhaps hid their riches.