Archaeologists unearth ancient tomb beneath Petra's Treasury, revealing 12 skeletons

Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery beneath the iconic Khaznah, or Treasury, in Petra, Jordan—unearthing a tomb containing at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts dating back over 2,000 years.

The excavation was led by Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman, executive director of the American Center of Research, as part of a project investigating the Treasury after years of speculation that additional tombs existed beneath the monument. Previous discoveries in 2003 had hinted at secret underground chambers, but the existence of this new tomb had not been confirmed until now, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“This is an incredibly rare discovery—nothing of this nature has been found in the two centuries of archaeological study in Petra,” remarked Gates. “Even in front of one of the most famous structures in the world, significant discoveries are still waiting to be uncovered.” Researchers believe this finding may represent the largest collection of human remains discovered in one location within Petra, and it was highlighted in the season premiere of “Expedition Unknown” on the Discovery Channel.

Petra was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in the 2000s due to its unique architecture and the many mysteries that continue to surround the city. While experts have debated the purpose of the Treasury for centuries, the prevailing theory is that it served as a mausoleum, despite the absence of skeletal remains within the structure itself, according to Gates.

The Treasury attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and has been featured in several films, most notably as the location of the Holy Grail in the 1989 movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Among the artifacts discovered were various vessels, including a skeleton that was found holding a ceramic chalice resembling the Holy Grail. 

“It was a remarkable instance of history mirroring art,” said Gates. Dr. Creasman noted that the artifacts are exceptionally well-preserved. However, while the human remains are intact, they are in a more fragile state than anticipated. This deterioration may be attributed to the humidity and seasonal floods in Petra, along with the porous sandstone that has retained moisture. Some skeletons were discovered with mold. 

According to Creasman, only a few tombs uncovered in Petra in recent decades have contained untouched burials. The disturbances in graves are likely due to travelers seeking shade and shelter from the desert sun. 

Two tombs found beneath the left side of the Treasury two decades ago by archaeologists from the Jordan Department of Antiquities contained partial skeletal remains, but the data was never published, leaving the number of individuals found unclear.

“We were optimistic about discovering anything that could provide insights into the ancient people and their environment—human remains can be a significant resource in that context,” Creasman stated. “The burials in this tomb are articulated, meaning the bones haven’t been disturbed, which is exceedingly rare.”

One lingering mystery about the Nabataeans pertains to their burial customs. According to Creasman, literature often portrays Nabataean society as more egalitarian, with kings more closely connected to the lower classes compared to leaders of other civilizations. 

Thus far, the Nabataean tombs that have been discovered do not show significant differences between royal and common burials, making it challenging to determine if the recently unearthed tombs beneath the Treasury were meant for royalty. Researchers also believe that many textiles and pieces of jewelry typically found in Nabataean burials, such as cloth wrappings and necklaces, may have deteriorated due to humidity and floodwaters infiltrating the tomb, according to Gates. 

As the team continues to examine the skeletons, Creasman expressed hope that more information will emerge about the identities of these individuals. Researchers aim to date the skeletons and artifacts and analyze extracted DNA to see if the twelve skeletons are related. 

Other analyses could provide insights into their diets and potential physical occupations. “They must be significant individuals, given that their burial site is such prime real estate—it’s essentially the main entrance to the city,” Gates noted. “Understanding who they were could be crucial to unlocking part of the Treasury's history.”

By Naila Huseynova