The City Humans Carved From Solid Rock PETRA Hidden deep in the desert of Jordan lies Petra, a city carved directly into stone more than two thousand years ago. Built by the Nabataeans, Petra was not constructed with blocks or machines, but slowly shaped from living rock using simple tools, patience, and extraordinary skill. Over centuries, its builders transformed sheer cliffs into temples, homes, and monuments that still defy explanation. At its height, Petra supported tens of thousands of peo