Discover the ancient 'technical wonders' that provide 45 million liters of water in the desert

The people here surpassed the Roman invasion in 106 and the strong earthquake in 363. They lived on this land at least until the end of the 6th century, much longer than speculated. before.

Petra - where Nabatea people choose to be the capital to live.

Enduring vitality thanks to good management of water resources

It seems that Petra thrives on the skills of Nabatea people in managing scarce water resources.

The Nabatea people's water and irrigation systems are an amazing technical feat.

A complex network of reservoirs, dams and canals helps to extract water from the Jordan desert streams and annual rainfall of 10cm, to maintain year-round water supply.

The scientific storage system helps Petra never fall into water shortages.

Dr. Christopher Tuttle, from the Council of Overseas American Research Centers, shared with Smithsonian Chanel: 'Petra is located in one of the harshest and most dangerous areas I have ever met to create a city. In its heyday, the city contained 30,000 inhabitants, with enough natural water for 2,000 - 3,000 people. This is a testament to the Nabatea's flexibility and dexterity, showing that they can transform the landscape to meet their needs. '

Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas Paradise, of the University of Arkansas, USA, said: 'In the 21st century, we will have many difficulties to create a sustainable city and a good place to live.'

Dr. Thomas Paradise is a geologist. He spent 25 years studying this sophisticated system.

It all starts from the hills

Dozens of reservoirs are scattered around the city, collecting and storing each drop of rain for the winter.

'The highest place in the area is in the valley, we have a reservoir that can collect water from the top of the hill. Successful water retention helps explain why the collected water is so strangely flowing from high to high, 'added Dr. Thomas Paradise.

Water then flows down to the city, through the dense canal system.

'Terracotta water pipes are connected downwards. They are very similar to the tubes we use all over the planet 2,000 years later. ' - Geologist Thomas Paradise continues to describe to Smithsonian Chanel about the Nabatea ancient water supply system - 'We have more than 160km of canals throughout Petra, where water slowly flows into the city and is stored in a series of tanks. If you pay attention, you will see that the canal is not very steep, but rather relaxed. If it is too steep, the water will flow massively. If too flat, water will flow into the tanks too slowly. '

Terracotta water pipes are very similar to tubes used throughout the planet 2,000 years later.

Archaeological research reveals that this system provides Petra with 45.4 million liters of water per day, meeting all domestic and agricultural water needs.

There is even enough water to fill the nearly 43m long public pool in the royal garden, a luxury facility in the desert, where nowhere else can match.

'We are considering a technical achievement of 2,000 years that is so remarkable' - Dr. Thomas Paradise concluded.

The ancient Nabatean civilization resided in Southern Jordan, Canaan and northern Arabia from the 6th century BC, when Nabatean nomads who spoke Aramaic began to emigrate from Arabia.

Nobody knows Petra ever formed. Just know this land is located in a favorable position for trading, located on the trade road connecting the West Asia and ancient Egypt. Therefore, the Nabateans chose this place as the capital and the city began flourishing in the centuries before and after AD (SCN).

Nabatean remains are carved into sandstone blocks on Jordan's mountains, and are remembered for irrigation techniques. The management of complex systems of dams, canals and reservoirs helped them expand and thrive in an arid desert area.