Editing Petra (section)

=== Iron Age Edom ===

The [[Iron Age]] lasted between 1200 and 600 BC; in that time, the Petra area was occupied by the [[Edomites]]. The configuration of mountains in Petra allowed for a reservoir of water for the Edomites. This made Petra a stopping ground for [[merchant]]s, making it an outstanding area for trade. Things that were traded here included wines, olive oil, and wood.

Initially, the Edomites were accompanied by [[Nomad]]s who eventually left, but the Edomites stayed and made their mark on Petra before the emergence of the Nabataens. It is said that 10,000 men were thrown off of the mountain Umm el-Biyara, but this story has been debated by scholars.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Petra {{!}} Bible Interp|url=https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/2003/04/ham278001|access-date=2021-12-03|website=bibleinterp.arizona.edu}}</ref>

The Edomite site excavated at the top of the Umm el-Biyara mountain at Petra was established no earlier than the seventh century BC (Iron II).<ref>{{cite journal|last= Bienkowski| first= P. |year= 1992| title= The beginning of the Iron Age in Edom: A reply to Finkelstein| journal= Levant| volume= 24| number= 1| pages= 167–169|doi= 10.1179/007589192790220919}}</ref>