First inhabited around 7,000 BC (perhaps much earlier), the Wadi Musa mountain and valley are where Moses led the Israelites during the Exodus and buried his brother Aaron. The Nabataeans, a nomadic tribe of Arabs, may have settled here during the 6th century BC. Their kingdom emerged during the 2nd century BC. They proceeded to carve hundreds of magnificent tombs into mountains while thriving as a major trade center. In 106 AD, they succumbed to the Roman Empire. The Romans built impressive temples, streets, theaters and arched gates while the population grew to over 20,000 people. During the Byzantine Era, this ancient city was plagued with earthquakes and then conquered in the mid-7th century. These events caused the inhabitants to abandon the city except for a few Crusaders in the 12th century and later Bedouin cave dwellers. The Rose-Red City was rediscovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Now is your chance to discover one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
