Archaeologists recently discovered a tomb containing at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts estimated to be 2,000 years old, buried beneath Khaznah, also known as Treasury, in Petra, Jordan.
The archaeological team, led by Dr Pearce Paul Creasman, executive director of the American Center of Research, found the tomb below the left side of the Treasury.Two tombs had previously been discovered in this area in 2003, leading to speculation about more hidden chambers.
The Treasury, a prominent monument carved into pink sandstone cliffs, has been featured in several films, most famously in the 1989 movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” where it represented the site of the Holy Grail.
Inside the intact burial chamber, archaeologists uncovered complete skeletal remains and various grave goods made of bronze, iron, and ceramic. The artifacts were well-preserved, though the human remains were more fragile, likely due to humidity and floodwaters trapped in the porous sandstone.
While most tombs in Petra are usually found empty or disturbed, this one remained largely undisturbed, with one skeleton holding a ceramic chalice resembling the Holy Grail. These findings provide new insights into the Nabataeans, ancient Arabian nomads who inhabited the region from the 4th century BC to AD 106.
Earlier this year, the team used ground-penetrating radar to identify similarities between the left and right sides of the Treasury, pushing the Jordanian government to authorize further excavations.
Dr. Creasman, along with a film crew and Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” host Josh Gates, excavated the tomb in August. “This is a hugely rare discovery — in the two centuries that Petra has been investigated by archaeologists, nothing like this has been found before,” Gates told CNN.
The researchers are eager to learn more about the individuals buried in this prime location, hoping to extract DNA and analyze the skeletons’ diets and physical conditions to determine their identity and significance.
“They must be hugely important people, because where they’re buried is such prime real estate; it really is the main entrance to the city,” Gates added.
Further studies are expected to reveal more details about the lives and customs of these ancient people.