Petra Tour: The Siq
The main access to Petra is a 1.2 km long gorge with steep walls up to 70 m high. Along the way there are remains of Nabataean water channels, cult niches and other interesting sights.
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On both sides of the path through the Siq, the remains of once kilometre-long water conduits can be seen. They were built together with the protection system against flash floods and the paved road and in the last decades of the 1st century BC.
Along the northern side ran a pressure pipeline made of clay tubes, which brought drinking water from the Moses spring (Ain Musa) at the edge of today's Wadi Musa to the ancient city.
In the rock face of the south side of the Siq ran a water channel, which was covered with stone slabs. In some places there were sedimentation tanks to reduce the pressure and to precipitate lime and other substances carried in the water. From at least four wells along the way one could drink. After the devastating earthquake of 363 BC, which also destroyed the infrastructure in the Siq, only this water channel was repaired.
(Information from Ueli Bellwald)
© Photos, summary: Haupt & Binder
The main access to Petra is a 1.2 km long gorge with steep walls up to 70 m high. Along the way there are remains of Nabataean water channels, cult niches and other interesting sights.