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The Khazneh is the most popular of stone monuments at Petra in Jordan, the name Khazneh means treasury because it was thought or legend states treasure was once hidden there, but it is more likely that is was a tomb and or temple, either way it is well preserved, this could be because of the rocks around it protecting the stone from weathering and pollution. Carved straight out of a sandstone (sedimentary) cliff wall. This beautiful and remarkable carving stands 40m high.
As you walk through the only entrance of the elaborate facade you will find a large square room which has been squared off meticulously, but this is as far as it goes for carving. Almost contrasting the exterior cliffwall there are no ornate carvings of any sort inside opposed to the intricate carvings on the outside.
More than 2,000 years old and first used as a refuge for the Nomadic Nabalaeans, whom built up the city of Petra to become a vast fortress capital city. With the added protection of the 'Siq' an immense crack in the Nubian Sandstone, with overhanging cliffs, stretching one kilometer but only wide enough for a horse drawn cart, leading to a fascinating one peace sculpture with great detail, carved in over 2000 years ago.