Petra, the setting for the finale of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," is Jordan's biggest tourist attraction. Yet visitor figures have plummeted due to turbulent times in the Middle East.
'Indiana Jones' city —
Petra, the setting for the finale of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," is Jordan's biggest tourist attraction. Yet visitor figures have plummeted due to turbulent times in the Middle East.
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The Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb are two of the Royal Tombs in Petra.
Mysterious tombs —
The Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb are two of the Royal Tombs in Petra.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
Without oil reserves Jordan is heavily reliant on tourism, which contributes 15% to its GDP.
Important source of income —
Without oil reserves Jordan is heavily reliant on tourism, which contributes 15% to its GDP.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
A view from the Royal Tombs. Despite its relative tranquility, Jordan's tourism industry has been hit by the 2010 Arab Spring and civil war in Syria.
Vantage point —
A view from the Royal Tombs. Despite its relative tranquility, Jordan's tourism industry has been hit by the 2010 Arab Spring and civil war in Syria.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
"Petra has been on the World Heritage List since 1985 and we were voted second of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, but the dip in income from tourism means there's no money for development," says Mohammad Abdelaziz, curator of the Petra Archeological Park.
Lack of resources —
"Petra has been on the World Heritage List since 1985 and we were voted second of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, but the dip in income from tourism means there's no money for development," says Mohammad Abdelaziz, curator of the Petra Archeological Park.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
Spanning 7,000 square meters, the Great Temple Complex is one of the archeological sites that requires stabilizing.
The Great Temple —
Spanning 7,000 square meters, the Great Temple Complex is one of the archeological sites that requires stabilizing.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
A recent discovery of a new massive monument may stimulate development and interest in Petra again. Archaeologists believe that more than 80% of Petra is yet to be uncovered.
Exciting development —
A recent discovery of a new massive monument may stimulate development and interest in Petra again. Archaeologists believe that more than 80% of Petra is yet to be uncovered.
Kate Tadman-Mourby/CNN
Once a great trading city of an Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans, Petra's massive buildings -- carved top to bottom into the cliff face -- were preserved from destruction thanks to its hidden location down a narrow valley, or Al Siq.
Preserved from destruction —
Once a great trading city of an Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans, Petra's massive buildings -- carved top to bottom into the cliff face -- were preserved from destruction thanks to its hidden location down a narrow valley, or Al Siq.
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Khazneh, or Treasury, is visible at the end of Al Siq. It was forgotten by the outside world for more than 1,000 years until a Swiss explorer was led there by a local Bedouin in 1812.
Treasury —
The Khazneh, or Treasury, is visible at the end of Al Siq. It was forgotten by the outside world for more than 1,000 years until a Swiss explorer was led there by a local Bedouin in 1812.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"Jordanians were not identifying with their environment," says Aysar Akrawi, founder of the Petra National Trust. "The rocks of Petra were a source of income for them -- not of identity." Akrawi's team helps local teenagers identify with their heritage so they'll look after the country's historic sites.
Involving the community —
"Jordanians were not identifying with their environment," says Aysar Akrawi, founder of the Petra National Trust. "The rocks of Petra were a source of income for them -- not of identity." Akrawi's team helps local teenagers identify with their heritage so they'll look after the country's historic sites.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images