The Petra Museum of Recent History is housed at Petra College of Tourism and Archaeology in Wadi Musa, Jordan. It highlights elements of the region’s history. It includes dozens of artifacts that reflect the lifestyles and customs of the people of Jordan, particularly the indigenous people of the Petra region. It also displays artifacts that offer a glimpse into this lost culture, which existed when residents still inhabited Petra. The museum aims to introduce students, researchers, artists, and tourists to Jordanian folk heritage. Its exhibits date back to the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.
Our Vision:
The Petra Museum of Recent History highlights the historical, cultural, and civilizational dimensions of the Petra region while enhancing the connection between its people and their land and providing evidence of their deep-rooted identity. The museum aims to tell the story of heritage, art, and the people of Petra in a way that connects the past with the present and sheds light on a promising future.
Main Exhibits in the Museum:
- Items that represent the Petra region, its character, and Jordan in general.
- Domestic tools used for food preparation, such as baking, coffee, and tea utensils, and other related tableware items.
- Traditional musical instruments.
- Weaving and embroidery tools and old weapons previously used by the region's people.
- Traditional clothing, including simple and embroidered garments, wool, carpets, and rugs.
- Wooden items, such as kitchen utensils and furniture, are commonly used in households.
Museum Objectives:
- Preserving and documenting Petra indigenous artifacts and introducing them to future generations as a distinctive mark of Jordanian societal achievements, innovations, and interactions with the local natural environment.
- Promoting Jordanian values, raising public awareness, and instilling love and pride in Jordan’s history, heritage, and culture.
- Safeguarding historical and cultural landmarks and artifacts that represent Jordanian heritage and the unique identity of Petra and its surroundings.
- Highlighting Jordan's southern region's historical, cultural, and civilizational dimensions.