The Nabataeans, a nomadic people, achieved something extraordinary in the heart of the desert—they made Petra not only a trade hub but also a thriving city. What made Petra unique wasn’t just its magnificent architecture carved into the rose-red cliffs, but also the Nabataeans’ remarkable ability to control a vital and scarce resource: water. The Ancients presenter, Tristan Hughes travelled to Petra for History Hit to find out more about this fascinating subject.
Nestled within the mountains, Petra was strategically located to collect water from rainfall and natural springs. Surrounded by arid desert, the Nabataeans utilized the natural topography to create a sophisticated system for capturing and distributing water throughout the city. The Greek geographer Strabo once recorded that Petra abounded with water sources, and archaeological evidence supports this claim. Remnants of the complex water system can still be found all around Petra, if you know where to look.
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One of the most iconic areas of Petra is the Siq, a winding canyon leading to the famous Treasury. Here, you can see a deep channel carved into the rock—a reminder of where water once flowed. Imagine travelers walking through this narrow passage, hearing the trickling of water as it flowed through the channels alongside them. This auditory experience would have been a stark contrast to the harsh silence of the desert, creating a sense of wonder as they approached the city. Archaeologist Matthew Vincent remarks
You’re walking through this canyon and to your side. You would have heard the trickling of water flowing down this channel.
The Water System in Petra allowed them to become a super power.
Image Credit: History Hit
Tristan then explains how the Nabataeans engineered an extensive water system consisting of over 125 miles of channels, pipes, and cisterns. It is estimated that this system could provide up to eight liters of water per person per day. This not only ensured the survival of Petra’s inhabitants but also transformed the city into an oasis of lush gardens, orchards, and ponds. Vincent tells Tristan how a land where water is synonymous with power, the Nabataeans had achieved something extraordinary: they made Petra a fertile paradise in an otherwise unforgiving landscape.
It’s been estimated it could provide up to eight liters of water per inhabitants per day…[and made Petra] a city full of gardens, orchards and ponds.
Visitors to Petra today often think of it as a city of the dead, with its towering tombs and silent monuments. But in its prime, Petra was a city full of life. The sound of water would have filled the air, as it does in other historical cities like the Alhambra in Granada. Petra’s water system wasn’t just functional—it was a symbol of power and prosperity. Walking through the Siq, one would be surrounded by greenery, pools, and baths—a far cry from the desolation of the surrounding desert.
…imagine you’ve just spent two months in the desert on your camels, moving your goods from here. You’re hot, you’re tired, you haven’t showered or bathe for who knows how long….But you get in here and all of a sudden there’s a flex…there’s a power, there’s saying like we are people who not only, control the land control trade routes, we control water.
For travelers who had spent months crossing the desert on camelback, Petra would have been a welcome respite. Hot and exhausted, they would enter this vibrant city, where the Nabataeans’ mastery over water was on full display. It was more than just an oasis; it was a statement of power. The Nabataeans controlled the land, the trade routes, and perhaps most importantly, the water. Their skill in harnessing this life-giving resource is what made Petra a thriving metropolis in the midst of a barren desert, and what continues to captivate visitors to this day.
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