During the centuries Petra was inhabited by
many civilizations, like Romans and Byzantines, who have left their footprint
with important ruins of theatres and temples, but also by the Bedouins
population, known as the “Bedouls”, who occupied Petra for the last generations
until today.
The Bedouls had lived in this site for hundreds of years, claiming to be direct descendants from the Nabateans. But since 1985, when UNESCO declared Petra a World Heritage Site, they were forced to move out of the caves and temples of the historic area. More than 250 families moved out but about 50 families still live inside the site, working as camel rider, souvenir sellers or unauthorized guides.
The Bedouls had lived in this site for hundreds of years, claiming to be direct descendants from the Nabateans. But since 1985, when UNESCO declared Petra a World Heritage Site, they were forced to move out of the caves and temples of the historic area. More than 250 families moved out but about 50 families still live inside the site, working as camel rider, souvenir sellers or unauthorized guides.
