Documents found in Jordan about the life of a Nabataean woman in the 1st century AD: sheds light on the life of the ancient city of Petra

In the second century BC. Petra was the capital of a powerful trading empire founded by the Nabataeans. Located in Jordan, it was an important political, cultural and economic center of the region.

Arkeonews writes about it.

The city was known for its extraordinary rock-cut architecture. The most famous monuments of Petra include the Al-Khazneh Mausoleum, the Temple of the House of the Sun, and the theater.

In 1961, archaeologists discovered documents in Petra that resemble the Dead Sea Scrolls. These documents, written in the Nabataean language, shed light on the lives of women in the ancient city.

One of the most interesting documents is a contract for the sale of an orchard. The document was signed by a woman named Abi-Adan. Abi-Adan was the owner of a large orchard of date palms near the Dead Sea. She sold it to Archelaus, a Nabataean strategist, for a substantial sum of money.

This document shows that women in Petra had considerable economic influence. Abi Adan was not just a housewife, but a successful businesswoman.

Read also: Why the Paleolithic handprints were missing fingers: scientists made a creepy discovery

Other documents found in Petra also show the important role of women in the city. For example, in one of the documents, a woman testifies in court as a witness. This suggests that women in Petra had the right to legal protection.

The secrets of Petra continue to be revealed. Archaeological research is giving us more and more knowledge about this ancient city and the people who once inhabited it.

As a reminder, an ancient 5000-year-old drawing was found in the Sahara Desert. 

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