Inside ‘secret’ tomb with 2000-year-old skeletons in Jordan’s Petra, below ‘Indiana Jones’ landmark

In the heart of Petra, Jordan’s ancient city, carved into pink sandstone cliffs, stands an iconic monument—the Khaznah, or the Treasury. This stunning structure has long captivated visitors, but hidden beneath its grandeur lies a surprising discovery.

Archaeologists recently unearthed a tomb directly under the Treasury, containing at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts that are estimated to be at least 2,000 years old.

“This is a hugely rare discovery,” shared Josh Gates, host of the Discovery Channel’s ‘Expedition Unknown,’ with CNN. “In the two centuries that Petra has been investigated by archaeologists, nothing like this has been found before,” he added. Gates and his team had been on-site, capturing the momentous excavation alongside the researchers.

So, what makes this discovery monumental? And how did archaeologists uncover this tomb? Let’s take a closer look

The background

In the 2000s, Petra was recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, celebrated for its unique architecture and the many mysteries that still surround the city.

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At the centre of Petra’s allure is the Treasury, or Al-Khaznah. One of the most popular spots in the city, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Its fame even reached Hollywood as the Holy Grail’s location in Steven Spielberg’s 1989 film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.

Built by the ancient Nabateans—a semi-nomadic Arab civilisation that once roamed parts of today’s Jordan, Israel, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and Saudi Arabia—the Treasury’s purpose has puzzled experts for centuries.

The most popular theory is that the monument serves as a mausoleum, although no skeletal remains have been found within the building itself, Gates told CNN.

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A beautiful perspective of Petra hidden deep within the canyon.

Petra, the "Rose City," is an ancient enigma in Jordan, carved into vibrant sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans around the 4th century BC. Known for its iconic structure, Al-Khazneh or "The Treasury," Petra thrived… pic.twitter.com/YhoCWotxYe

— Dr. M.F. Khan (@Dr_TheHistories) July 19, 2024

In 2003, archaeologists identified two hidden tombs on the left side of the Treasury, but with limited funds and permissions, they had never been able to fully probe the other side.

This changed recently when Dr Pearce Paul Creasman, head of the American Center of Research, led a team using ground-penetrating radar. They wanted to see if the right side held similar features to the left, where tombs had been previously discovered. The scans indeed showed a match, convincing the Jordanian government to authorise a dig beneath the Treasury.

In August, the team excavated the newly exposed tomb. What lay inside was an even greater surprise.

The discovery

Archaeologists uncovered an intact burial chamber within Petra, unlike many other tombs in the city that are often found empty or disturbed.

Inside were 12 complete skeletal remains and an intricate network of walls dividing the chamber—a structural feature not seen elsewhere in Petra, reported The New York Times.

The chamber also had grave artifacts made from bronze, iron, and ceramic and had been extremely well-preserved, Creasman said.  

While the human remains were intact, they were in a more fragile state than anticipated due to Petra’s humidity, seasonal floods, and the porous sandstone that traps moisture, the researcher said.

🇯🇴HUGE DISCOVERY AT ‘INDIANA JONES’ FILM SITE: 2,000-YEAR-OLD TOMB WITH 12 SKELETONS & HOLY GRAIL CHALICE FOUND

Archaeologists uncovered a 2,000-year-old tomb with 12 skeletons and artifacts beneath Petra’s iconic Treasury in Jordan, the site of Indiana Jones’ Holy Grail scene.… pic.twitter.com/bhZOxjJ6zs

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 15, 2024

Nevertheless, this significant finding may be the largest collection of human remains found in one place within Petra, according to researchers.

Among the skeletons found, one held a ceramic chalice, that bore a striking resemblance to the Holy Grail that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper.

“It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art,” shared Josh Gates with CNN.

Why is this significant?

This discovery has offered archaeologists a unique glimpse into the lives of the Nabataeans, an ancient Arabian people whose desert kingdom flourished from the 4th century BC to AD 106, explained Dr Creasman.

Now, researchers are eager to uncover more about the individuals buried in this prominent location. Plans are underway to extract DNA and analyse the skeletons’ diets and health conditions, aiming to understand their identities and significance within the Nabataean society.

“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,” noted Josh Gates.

Further studies are expected to reveal additional insights into the lives and customs of these ancient people, bringing the secrets of Petra’s past closer to light.

“People think they know Petra. They recognise the Treasury,” Creasman said. “But all these people walk by, and there’s so much more under our feet.”

With input from agencies