Petra is called the Lost City primarily because it was hidden from the Western world for centuries, buried beneath layers of sand, until its rediscovery in modern times.
The Story Behind the Nickname
Often referred to as the "Lost City," Petra earned this evocative nickname due to its unique history of disappearing from common knowledge in the West and being rediscovered centuries later.
According to sources like the Exoticca Blog, this ancient city is thought to have been built around 312 BC. Flourishing for a long period, it eventually declined and faded from prominence. For a significant time, its existence became largely unknown to people outside the immediate region.
The city remained hidden until 1812, when it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. He found the magnificent structures of Petra buried beneath ancient layers of sand. This rediscovery, after centuries of being seemingly lost to the outside world and hidden by nature, solidified its famous nickname, the "Lost City".
Here are the key events contributing to the name:
- Ancient Origin: Built around 312 BC, Petra was a thriving center.
- Decline: The city's prominence waned over time.
- Centuries of Obscurity: Petra became unknown to the Western world for a significant period.
- Rediscovery: A Swiss explorer rediscovered it in 1812.
- Condition Found: It was found beneath ancient layers of sand, giving the impression it had been literally "lost" and covered by time and nature.
This sequence of being a major ancient city that disappeared from global awareness only to be found again centuries later, hidden beneath the earth, is the reason it is famously known today as the Lost City of Petra.
| Aspect | Description Relating to "Lost" |
|---|---|
| Ancient Era | Thriving, then declined |
| Period Before Rediscovery | Unknown to Western world |
| Rediscovery Year | 1812 |
| Finding Method | Uncovered from beneath sand |
It is this dramatic rediscovery after being hidden away that makes the name "Lost City" so fitting.
