Jordanian shopkeeper now helps protect Petra
A Unesco project has trained locals to monitor cracks in the ancient site’s stone face.
A former shopkeeper in Jordan is now using his rock climbing skills to help preserve the ancient site of Petra, thanks to a Unesco project.
The Siq Stability Project—which has trained locals to help monitors the gorge that runs through Petra—has had a life-changing impact on Ataf Al Fager of the Bedouin village Um Sayhoun, next to Petra.
While he previously sold souvenirs to tourists, Al Fager has now
The Art Newspaper
August 15, 2014
© Unesco
been trained in rock climbing techniques, allowing him to monitor the optical prisms installed on the rock face, used as reflectors by surveyors. In six of Petra’s most hazardous spots, he also checks equipment that wirelessly collects data on cracks in the rock face, and photographs any changes that he notices in the environment, sending his images to the Petra Archaeological Park and Unesco’s office in Amman.
At the same time, he has been raising awareness about the prisms among local people, who used to smash the devices, believing them to be cameras. “If anyone messes with a prism, Bedouins tell Ataf!” he says in a Unesco report.
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