Ep 3. Kings of the Stone Age

In season 4, episode 3 of Digging for the Truth, titled "Kings of the Stone Age," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the ancient civilization of the Nabateans. Host Josh Bernstein travels to their former capital city, Petra, in modern-day Jordan to uncover the secrets of this fascinating society.

The Nabateans were a nomadic tribe who eventually settled in the areas of Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. They were known for their impressive skills in architecture and engineering, as evidenced by the magnificent city of Petra they carved into the mountains. Scholars have long been fascinated with the Nabateans, and Josh Bernstein is no exception.

In this episode, Josh and his team begin their journey at the Al-Khazneh temple, one of Petra's most iconic structures. They explore the temple's intricate carvings and examine its impressive engineering, including an innovative water system that allowed water to flow from a well outside of the city and through a series of underground channels to reach the people of Petra.

As they enter deeper into Petra, Josh takes a moment to reflect on how the Nabateans managed to construct such a magnificent city into the rocky terrain. Scholars believe that the Nabateans were masters of stone carving and engineering, and Josh marvels at the precision and skill that must have gone into creating a place like Petra.

Next, Josh and his team explore the city's theater, which is also a feat of engineering and architecture. The theater could seat over 4,000 people and was designed in a way that would allow sound to travel throughout the space. Josh notes that the Nabateans used their engineering skills not just for practical purposes, but also for artistic expression.

One of the most unique aspects of the Nabatean culture was their religion, which was polytheistic and involved the worship of many gods and goddesses. Josh visits a site on the outskirts of Petra where Nabatean priests would perform rituals and offer sacrifices to their deities. He notes that this is evidence of a complex religious system that was an integral part of the Nabatean way of life.

Throughout the episode, Josh also focuses on the Nabateans' role in trade and commerce. Because they were situated at the crossroads of many important trade routes, the Nabateans were skilled merchants and traders. They established a network of trade routes that spanned from Asia to Africa, and they were known for their expertise in shipping and handling exotic goods.

Josh visits a few of the city's markets, where he learns about some of the goods that were traded during the Nabatean era, including spices, silks, and precious metals. He notes that the Nabateans were skilled negotiators and that their success as traders contributed to their impressive wealth and prosperity.

Finally, Josh visits a secluded area of Petra known as the High Place of Sacrifice. This was a site used for ceremonial purposes, and it is thought that human sacrifices may have taken place there. Josh notes that this is one of the more mysterious aspects of Nabatean culture, and scholars are still working to understand the significance of this site.

Overall, season 4, episode 3 of Digging for the Truth offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Nabateans. Viewers will be captivated by the city of Petra and the impressive skills of its builders, as well as intrigued by the complex cultural and religious systems of this ancient civilization. Josh Bernstein's enthusiasm and expertise are on full display in this episode, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in ancient history and archaeology.