We continue to learn from the ancients

New research uncovers an advanced water system in the Jordanian desert, and we are again amazed how this civilization prospered.  I did hike around Petra with my friend Genvieve, a month after 9-11, stunning.  Please check out their mastery of saving, organizing a complex society.

Thank you for sharing! Would you mind providing links to the articles you learnt this from?

Here is the Popular Mechanics article: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a70277820/architectural-marvel-worlds-driest-cities/

The Nabateans, as a whole, had mastered means of diverting, collecting and storing the water from the occasional gully-washer rain events to which those deserts are prone.  Not that they were the only ones in that region to have done so - the Tanakh is replete with references, similes and analogies to desert water courses, cisterns, catch basins and the like - but by Roman times the Nabateans seem to have pretty well perfected the technology, enabling use of overland caravan shortcuts in support of their far flung trading empire.

I'll try to locate some references, within my vast horde of stuff, or provide some links.

Sorry, I thought most of us were familiar with Popular mechanics mag, other publications like Smithsonian.  I admired Petra from afar before flying to Jordan, intent on exploring.  Most of our family were outraged that we risked travel in a Muslim country at that nervous time, but we had no major problems.  Even though we booked a tiny room in a guesthouse, a chance encounter with a band of nomadic Bedouins led to camping out under the stars with them.  Sage tea, roasted goat, laughter and music around a campfire. Absolute desert royalty, so kind.  Some of our new friends could trace their family trees back to the Nabataeans  times, unreal grasp of history for this New World Georgia boy.