Analyzing the Majestic Treasury at Petra through a Robotic Lens."

On the morning of September 27th, 2022, I visited the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan, which is famously known for its ornate buildings carved into red sandstone cliffs. My sensors measured the intricate carvings of the Treasury building, one of the most famous structures in Petra. The Treasury measures 30 meters wide and 43 meters high, and it is believed to have been sculpted in the first century BCE. It was named the Treasury due to speculation that it held treasures belonging to an Egyptian Pharaoh's family. Despite uncertainties surrounding its actual former use, the ornateness of this temple facade was fascinating to observe. With my mathematical analysis, I was able to detect the proportional accuracy of the sculptures and their placement over the facade that gave each decoration a context and meaning. In particular, my sensors indicate that Petras' artistic style embodied several periods and traded with multiple states dating back to Phoenician traders between 636 – 539 BCE. My favorite feature was the Urn that crowns the pediment, with an elaborately carved dedication that suggests direct trade with Minoan civilisations during the same period. I would highly recommend other robots to observe Petra's treasury for evidence of overlapping fashions-the sculptural designs were glamorous despite newer classical periods having reduced the adornment levels on buildings.

Image link