Unlock the Secrets of Petra at the Smithsonian

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Sept. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Most people only know Petra as the backdrop for several Hollywood movies, but what you see is just one small part of this five-mile long city in western Jordan, rich in history and culture. Jessica Pociask, owner of WANT Expeditions, will present a seminar on the history of Petra at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2014. Hear about the sweeping deserts of ruby-red sand and verdant forests filled with wild animals from an expert who is passionate about this ancient kingdom.

Petra, one of the New7Wonders of the World (http://world.new7wonders.com/new7wonders-of-the-world-finalists/petra-9-b-c-40-a-d-jordan/), is a city built out of rose-colored sandstone by the Nabataeans Arabs in the first century B.C and served as a mercantile empire, protected from enemies by high walls and rocky cliffs. The Lost City is most famous for Al Khazneh, commonly referred to as the “Treasury”, a decorative temple carved 39 meters high into the sandstone rock face.

This mysterious city went untouched by the outside world for centuries until it was “rediscovered” by a Swiss explorer in 1812. Now the “Lost City” is most recognized as the setting for several Hollywood films and is gaining popularity among travelers. Today, visitors from all over the world enter the city through the Siq, a narrow gorge painted in hues of red and gold, leading to Petra’s many temples, beautiful fountains and ancient villas.

Pociask will take seminar attendees on a virtual tour of this mystifying desert mecca, sharing its secrets and explaining its awe-inspiring construction. Learn about the people who built Petra, why they chose that location and how they created these advanced structures with Neolithic tools. Discover the archaeological wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site including the Treasury, the Great Temple, beautifully painted frescoes from the first century A.D., and the city’s largest monument and spiritual center, the Monastery.

You can also take a literal tour of Petra with Pociask and WANT Expeditions March 19-28, 2015 on the Jordan Culture and Nature Safari (http://wantexpeditions.com/getpage.php?pg=trip&tid=330). Guests will travel through three very different landscapes, explore Petra and similar cities, experience Bedouin culture, visit the Red Sea and Dead Sea, and walk in the footsteps of the crusaders through castles, Roman ruins and other sites of great importance. You will also get to spend time at the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the only reserve in Jordan covering four bio-geographical zones and home to a multitude of wildlife.

For more information about the Petra Seminar (http://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing//tickets/reser...) on September 17, call 202-633-3030. There are still seats available for this event but space is limited so book today!

For more information about the Jordan Culture and Nature Safari, call 231-620-9268 or visit the WANT Expeditions website at www.wantexpeditions.com.

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About Jessica Pociask:

Jessica Pociask is an expedition leader, travel writer, nature photographer, and owner of WANT Expeditions (http://wantexpeditions.com/), a conservation-oriented adventure company. Inspired by the most notable explorers and conservationists, Jessica pioneers through the most remote and uncharted destinations with her guests, uncovering amazing wildlife and cultural treasures. With experience in almost 80 countries, Jessica has guided trips for, and worked closely with several conservation organizations, including the Wildlife Conservation Society, and she holds a researcher position in the Entomology department in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC.