Cultural Heritage Site Under Risk: a Case Study from Petra, Jordan Fadi Bala'awi1 and Mairna H

Cultural Heritage Site under Risk: A Case Study from Petra, Jordan Fadi Bala'awi1 and Mairna H. Mustafa2

1Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, Department of Conservation Science, The Hashemite University; P.O. Box 330127 Postal Code 13115 Zarqa, Jordan 2Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, Department of Sustainable Tourism, The Hashemite University; P.O. Box 330127 Postal Code 13115 Zarqa, Jordan

Received: 30/08/2016 Accepted: 23/11/2016 Corresponding author: Dr. Fadi Bala'awi : ([email protected])

ABSTRACT

One of the major problems facing the World Heritage Site of Petra is of salt damage caused by weathering effect; this study examined and monitored the salt types and distribution within four different monuments at the site; these were the Treasury, Palace Tomb, Deir Tomb, and the Theatre. The study examined the interaction of both single salts and the salts in mixed solutions and their effect on each other’s solubility, it also determined the ‘safe’ levels of relative humidity where salt damage in monuments or objects contaminated with these salts can be minimized. Following the current research observations, it might be assumed that salt damage could be avoided in a very straight forward way by controlling the surrounding relative humidity and temperature, which should be carefully planned since monuments of Petra are all located in an open area. .

KEYWORDS: Weathering effect, salt damage, thermodynamic analysis, Petra/ Jordan

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1. INTRODUCTION water that infiltrates into the rock by capillary Petra was listed as a World Heritage Site in action enables vegetation to grow in the inter- 1985; despite the great economic benefits gained stices, consequently resulting in the fracture of by tourism to this heritage site, a great pressure rock, and in worse cases rock fall (UNESCO and negative impacts caused by the increasing 1993). Not less important than all previous prob- influxes of tourists made UNESCO consider it lems is the one of salt damage caused by weath- as an endangered site (UNESCO 1993). There ering effect; this study will examine and monitor are some potential economic, sociocultural and the salt types and distribution within the four environmental negative impacts that are threat- different monuments in the world Heritage site ening the future of the site in the absence of a of Petra. The case study monuments are the sustainable management plan for the site. For Treasury, Palace Tomb, Dier Tomb, and the negative environmental impact taking place at Theatre. Petra, these take many forms; one of them is damage caused by tourists' behavior while navi- This research is part of a project that aims at gating within the site. The random climbing and measuring and estimating the different impacts movement on site's rock-cut features is leaving negatively affecting the archaeological sites in drastic effects. According to Tom Paradise, a Jordan. This will be done by selecting some par- geomorphologist from the University of Arkan- ticular sites that are exposed to different kinds of sas at Fayetteville, the fact that people are wear- problems that are causing their deterioration. ing shoes with soles that grab on everything in- Different scientific methods are used to measure stead of the rubber-soled working boots or soft such impacts; these sites are as follows with sneakers, is causing the quick disappearance and some of the problems they are facing: Petra: salt loss of rock carved features; moreover, parts of damage, wear and tear, humidity, air/wind, ex- the façade of the Khazneh [the Treasury] had istence of animals in the site, wrong conserva- lost sand because that is where tour guides let tion actions and vegetation; Amman Citadel: people sit, he indicates that this caused the loss waste, traffic congestion, fires, being close to of half a cubic meter of sandstone over few residential areas, illegal excavations, wear and years. Another threat facing Petra is the rising tear, and vegetation; Jerash: crowding, festivals, level of humidity resulted by the crowds of the wrong conservation actions, managerial prob- tourists present at the site, which is an obstacle lems, wear and tear, and traffic close to site and facing the preservation of sandstone. An indica- Ghor es-Safi: agricultural activities and illegal tor of deterioration is presence of the white de- excavations. posits on the walls of carved tombs, mainly the Treasury; according to Paradise, tests showed The results of the research will help in achieving that the deposits are to be of stearic acid, when the following implications: increasing awareness people rest by leaning against the wall with about problems facing these sites, it will help sweating hands, they leave a scum of fat behind also in developing a set of procedures to de- (Lubick 2004). Horse and camel rides are also crease and mitigate different negative impacts, causing a problem to the site since the dust as well as in developing standards for imple- raised by these animals becomes encrusted on mentation when planning for the tourism devel- the sides of the Siq. (UNESCO 1993). Some opment of these sites, and in putting guidelines graffiti is also to be seen on the rock cut Siq and to conserve sites appropriately, also to minimize tombs of the city. Littering can be also noticed and avoid the negative impacts caused by exten- although of the littering cans placed throughout sive visitation to these sites. the site. In addition to the danger caused by tourists and tourism development, other natural 2. ABOUT THE SITE factors are negatively affecting the site; one of The archaeological city of Petra with its these is the corrosion of lower sections of fa- 2000 sandstone rock-cut façades was hewed cades by the wind which carries sand particles into colored sandstone and Limestone from the crumbling sandstone rock. Also, the Mountains. The city of Petra lies hidden in the

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TITLE OF PAPER SHORT ENOUGH TO FIT IN HEADER 3

Desert Mountains in the southern part of Jor- Blue Church, a number of high places (with dan (35º 25′ E - 35º 28′ E and 30º 19′ N - 30º their platforms for the purposes of giving 21′ N), it is 255 km far from Amman (the animal sacrifices), al-Deir (the Monstery) with capital of Jordan). The city of Petra occupies its huge façade (50 meters wide and 45 meters an area of 15 km2 and is 900 to 1500 m above high), a big number of tombs as the Lion sea level. The archaeological park which in- tomb, Garden Tomb, Tomb of the Roman cludes the ancient city is accessed through an Soldier, Triclinium (Feast Hall), as well as outer Siq (path) in which significant features many other features (Map 1). In general, the as Obelisk tombs and Djen Blocks can be remains of the city are dated to different seen, then a natural gorge known as Siq with a periods within Hellenistic Period (2nd century length of 1200 m with the water channels sys- B.C.) to Late Byzantine Period (6th century tem is still existing, as well as niches and the A.D.) (Causle 2003; Teller 2006). Map 1 two statutes of Dushara and al-Uzza gods. The shows the most important carved monuments Siq then widens upon the most magnificent of in the city. The monuments of Petra are unique all Petra’s monuments al-Khazneh (meaning in their architecture, structure and durability. Treasury in Arabic), which is carved out of The presentation of the monuments of Petra is solid rock with a height of 40 m. the Siq con- beyond the scope of this research; however, tinues through the ancient city were different four of the monuments will be presented here features can be observed; these include the as case studies, where the samples and the mi- Street of Facades, the Amphitheater which can croclimate data for this research project were accommodate more than 6000 spectators, the collected. Royal tombs (Urn Tomb, silk tomb, Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb), also the 3. REFERENCES Mausoleum of Sextus Florentinius; that is in References should be again in single column format addition to the colonnaded street leading to and provided in alphabetical ordering starting with triple-arched Temenos Gateway which marked the first author’s surname and all names capitalized. the entrance into the courtyard or "temenos" of Use the MAA-Reference style for references, which Qasr al-Bint, one of the main Nabataean corresponds to Book Antiqua 9pts, 0.75 hanging in- temples in the city. Other remains include dentation. To use references in the text use the fol- Nymphaeum, the Great Temple Complex, lowing example (Binda et al., 2003; Walker, 2012). Temple of the Winged Lions, Petra Church,

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sample text: We thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. This work was partially supported by the 7th Framework Programme “Project Name” funded by the EU within the Reflective Socie- ties Work Programme 2014-2010. The authors would especially like to thank the personnel of the Research Centre for their support and technical cooperation.

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