Videos about Petra, Nabataea, and ancient Arabia

 —These videos give interesting insights into the Nabataean culture and people

 

  • PETRA: Lost City of Stone; PBS, NOVA season 42, episode 5—segment on reconstructing carving techniques (about 15 minutes
    • — In 2014, sculptors Blake Rankin and Nathan Hunt were commissioned by PBS to attempt to recreate somewhere in California, the presumed building techniques of the Petra masons by carving a half-sized scale replica of one of the rock-carved tombs in Petra. This segment of the documentary is fascinating as it explores and, perhaps, rediscovers 2000-year old masonry techniques.
  • PETRA: Lost City of Stone; MPBS, NOVA season 42, episode 5—complete episode (about 54 minutes)
    • — the complete NOVA episode on Petra, detailing their incredible hydraulic engineering, as well as rock carving, and international trade.
  • the status of Women in Nabataea; a Smithsonian brief history documentary (about 2 minutes)
    • — a brief explanation of the amazingly high status of women in Ancient Arabia. Based on the 2000 year old “Babatha Archive” documents discovered in 1961.
  • the Hydraulic Engineering of the Nabataeans; a Smithsonian brief history documentary (about 3 1/2 minutes)
    • — a brief introduction to the hydraulic engineering expertise of the Nabataeans. The harvesting of scant rainfall in the middle of nowhere was what set the Nabataeans apart from others at that time, and allowed them to build a Garden City in desert wastes.
  • The Three Goddesses of Nabataea; another brief Smithsonian history documentary (about 3 1/2 minutes)
    • — a look at the three main goddesses worshipped by the Nabataeans. Although somewhat speculative about each of their roles, it is nonetheless a good introduction to their theology.
  • a Traveler’s look at the Theatre of Petra; a brief Youtube video examining the theater of Petra (about 1 1/2 minutes)
    • — Bruno takes us on a brief tour of Petra’s theater, looking into the amazing rock-carved structure that seated almost 10,000 patrons.
  • Ask Dan Gibson; Dan Gibson, historian and author of The Nabataeans, Builders of Petra (about 30 minutes)
    • — Relying on his several decades of studying the Nabataeans, and 60+ trips to Petra, Dan gives us an introduction to who the Nabataeans were, and why they were able to perform the amazing things they did.
  • Avdat: Nabataean city in the Negev; Sergio and Rhoda, (about 15 minutes)
    • — the delightful explorer hosts, Sergio and Rhoda, walk us through the ancient Nabataean city of Avdat (originally called “Obodas” after their deitized king). The city lies in the Negev desert in the south of Israel, placed about halfway on the ancient caravan trade route from Petra to Gaza.

    Books useful in discovering more about Nabataea, ancient Arabia, and Judaea (in no particular order)

    —These books have been invaluable references in writing the series: Waters In the Desert. While some of them may be more scholarly and technical than others, they are all very useful for diving into who the Nabataeans were. And among them are some great reads and beautiful visuals.

     

    • The Nabataeans: Builders of Petra; Dan Gibson; Can Books, Osler SK Canada; © 2003; ISBN 1-4134-2734-0
      • — a detailed exploration of who the Nabataeans were and why they acted in history as they did, by a longtime historian of the Nabataeans who lived and worked in the Middle East for decades. This book contains much more of the “why” than you will find in any other book about the Nabataeans.
    • Men on the Rocks: The Formation of Nabataean Petra; M. Molton, S.G. Schmid, editors; Logos Verlag, Berlin Germany; © 2013; ISBN 978-3-8325-3313-7
      • — a comprehensive compilation of two dozen very in-depth scholarly examinations of the material culture left by the Nabataeans in Petra. If you want details about Nabataea and Petra, this is the book to get.
    • Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Nabataea; Hatoon Afwad al-Fassi; BAR Publishing, Oxford UK; © 2007; ISBN 978-1-4073-0095-5
      • — a thought-provoking treatise on the unique liberal status of women in Ancient Arabia. The author has been under house arrest by her nation for her views on women.
    • Nabataea.net; Dan Gibson; https://nabataea.net/explore
      • — a vast compendium of detailed knowledge about Petra, Nabataea, and Ancient Arabia, compiled over  a lifetime by the author and historian Dan Gibson. If you want to simply dip your toes, or maybe dive deep into who the Nabataeans were, start here.
    • Thirst: Water and Power in the Ancient World; Steven Mithen; Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA; © 2012;
      • — a very thoughtful investigation and explanation of how the life-giving substance of water has dramatically shaped cultures and empires throughout ancient history. One chapter centers on the Nabataeans and how their culture revolved around the harvesting and effective use of water.
    • Petra; Jane Taylor; Aurum Press Limited, London UK; © 1993; ISBN 1-85410-253-2
      • — a coffee-table sized book of unique and brilliant photographs taken by a photographer and writer who lived many decades in Jordan. Her familiar relationship with King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, provided her an introduction to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, giving her access to vantage points not allowed other photographers. The text gives a concise and illuminating understanding of the history of Petra and its inhabitants, and its ultimate rediscovery by Europeans. A gorgeous book.
    • The Negev: The Challenge of a Desert; Michael Evenari, Leslie Shanan, Naphtali Tadmor; Harvard University Press; © 1982; ISBN 0-674-60672-8
      • — the amazing undertaking of three decades of work (1950s, 60s, and 70s) to discover how the Nabataeans were able to not only survice, but to wrest a profitable living from deserts offerening scant rainfall. Their work was not merely theoretical examination, but by trial and error, brilliant insight, and gutsy determination, the team actually lived in the desert, as the Nabataeans did. An inspiring (though scholarly) story of determination and passion.
    • Petra: Jordan’s Extraordinarly Ancient City; Fabio Bourbon; Barnes & Noble Books, New York: ISBN 978-0-7607-2022-6
      • — an elegantly produced coffee-table book portraying the visual beauty and wonder of Petra. The text well illuminates both the history and background of the Nabataeans.
    • Petra Great Temple, Volume III; Martha Sharp Joukowsky; Oxbow Books; © 2017; ISBN 978-1-7857-0612-7
      • — a weighty, scholarly volume summing up much of the life’s work of archaeologist Martha Joukowsky, who led teams excavating and understanding the ruins of Petra’s “Great Temple.”
    • Petra: Splendors of the Nabataean Civilization; text by Francesca Ossorio, graphic design by Marinella Debernardi; White Star Publishers, Vercelli, Italy;  2009; ISBN 978-88-544-0445-8
      • — a massive coffee-table style book, chock-full of huge, marvelous photographs taken in and around Petra by numerous photographers. The text is quite detailed, examining the history and significance of the Nabataean people and their culture. If you are looking for an impressive display of the art of the Nabataeans, this is the one to get.
    • Deities and Dolphins: The story of the Nabataeans; Nelson Glueck; Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York; © 1965; Library of Congress No. 64-19808
      • — scholar, adventurer, rabbi, Nelson Glueck explored the Holy Land for over forty years, beginning in 1927. This book compiles much of what he learned and believed about the Kingdom of Nabataea, from discovering and examining their material culture they left behind. Although some of his early conclusion have been better understood in recent years, the book is still a treasure of photos (over 400!) and the man’s thoughts on these people.
    • Glossary of Nabataean Aramaic: With etymological and comparative notes; Juan Pedro Monferrer-Sala, and Joan Ferrer; Cordoba University Press, Cordoba, Spain; © 2017; ISBN 978-84-9927-269-6
      • — a very useful reference lexicon of Nabataean Aramaic vocabulary, as it exists on stone and bronze inscriptions and papyrus. This may be of no interest to the average person, but if you are interested in deciphering for yourself Nabataean inscriptions, or simply wanting to know what their language looked and sounded like, it’s a great little book.
    • Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free; E.F. Bruce; Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Michigan; © 1977; ISBN 0-8028-3501-5
      • — although not directly germane to the Nabataeans, this volume on the life Sha’ul of Tarsus (“Paul”) is a very in-depth examination of the life of the man who spent somewhere between 2 and 3 years in Nabataea after his transformation on his approach to Damascus (also a Nabataean stronghold at the time). It gives great insight into the culture, thinking, and intrigues of the Nabataeans’ neighbors just west across the Jordan River in Judaea.
    • Drinkers of the Wind; Carl Raswan; Ariel Books; © 1942; Library of Congress no. 61-13681
      • — the book is Carl (Schmidt) Raswan’s powerfully written memoir of his years living among the Bedouin Arabs of the greater Arabian deserts, early in the twentieth century. In that era, other than their possessions of firearms, the Bedouins then lived just as nomads of the desert had lived for thousands of years, thus giving deep insight into how the Nabataeans lived before urbanization. The book chronicles his desire to discover and document the true foundational horse stock which resulted in the Arabian breed. The book has breathtaking passages describing desert life you are not likely to find anywhere else. The companion sequel book, Black Tents of Arabia, is an equally marvelous read.
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