While the Nabateans were certainly based in Petra, the civilization spread its influence far beyond the city’s walls. One of their main trade routes passed through Wadi Rum, where they left several fascinating petroglyphs carved into the craggy rocks. Some of the best examples can be found on the rocks at Alameleh; look closely at the cliffs and crevices and you’ll discover charming herds of camels and lively hunting scenes.
Including Alameleh, there are more than 20,000 petroglyphs in Wadi Rum, some pre-dating the Nabateans and others as recent as the early Islamic period. At Jebel Umm al-Ishrin, there are some particularly fine depictions of desert animals as well as ancient Kufic inscriptions—an early form of Arabic script.
