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Solitary ancient tomb


Solitary ancient tomb
Photo Information
Copyright: Martyn Peck (Travelcam) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 497 W: 64 N: 518] (5578)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1992
Categories: Architecture, Artwork, Abstract, Mood
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-03 0:35
Viewed: 590
Points: 19
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years during which time I made a point of traveling extensively throughout this fascinating country and geographic region. I always found the Saudi people very friendly and hospitable.

Many “westerners” think of vast sand dunes (thanks largely to the epic film “Lawrence of Arabia”) when they think of Saudi Arabia but I can categorically state that this is simply not so. It has a diverse range of landscapes ranging from the hot, dry sand dunes of the interior and the south-eastern Empty Quarter, to the temperate lush green mountains of the south western Asir region which it shares with Yemen.

One of the many fascinating qualities of Saudi Arabia, in my opinion, was the archeological heritage that exists across this proud nation. As a keen traveler and photographer, I embarked on a long weekend excursion with two mates to the ancient city of Medain Salah located 400km from the holy city of Medina. Westerners are not permitted within the city walls of Medina but we were able to fly to the airport from where we hired a four-wheel drive vehicle to drive the remainder of our long journey.

Madain Saleh, sister city of the Nabatean capital Petra (aka. The Rose City) was the southern-most frontier of the ancient Nabatean Kingdom which covered a vast area of our modern day Middle East, including part of present day Syria and Palestine. Its’ survival relied heavily on strategic trade routes and the existence 2000years ago of more water than exists today. The latter is however present the water table has significantly dropped across the region.

We spent considerable time exploring this awesome site of antiquity. We were also fortunate in being the only visitors to the site. Utmost respect was of course accorded at all times. It was a fiery furnace in the middle of the day and we had plenty of water and sun block to help combat this relentless heat. The tombs were plentiful and cool inside, the detail was absolutely stunning. Having previously toured through Petra in Jordan, I immediately recognized certain Nabatean architectural characteristics. There was no doubting this was part of that ancient Kingdom. We were all very impressed with the condition and artistry of these sandstone engravings.

One of the most striking images though was one tomb which had been carved out of the centre of a huge solitary rock. This was located several kilometres from the rest of the sandstone city, breaking the otherwise flat desert horizon that stretched far north towards Jordan and Iraq.

This tomb, known as Qasr Al Farid and the subject of my TL posting, was a highlight in this fascinating and rarely visited archeological metropolis. We all felt privileged to have visited such a awesome place and took away many memories and photographs we would always treasure from this experience.
bwana, ls_photography, rater, Janone, gonzalezcheryl has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rgagnon3: ThanksTravelcam 1 02-04 00:36
To Janone: ThanksTravelcam 1 01-06 14:21
To rater: ThanksTravelcam 1 09-04 10:45
To rater: ThanksTravelcam 1 09-04 10:42
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Martyn! Wonderful picture. Good sharpness! Cheers!

Stunning photo MArtyn, pin sharp clarity and amazing colours. Your notes are extremely detailed and interesting reading, well done.

Great capture martyn! I also have the captures of the same tomb. I'll post it here on TL on a later date. :-)

Hi Martyn,
I can hear the music now....Stairway to Heaven.
Beautiful lighting, gorgeous colour.
TFS,
Pete.

Great clarity, and you caught the sun having a good time. You got really good color.
Nice shot!
TFS
Leanne

  • Great 
  • rater Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 215 W: 52 N: 111] (957)
  • [2007-09-04 7:26]
  • [+]

Great place! Excelent photo, you make us discover this incredible tomb!

r.

  • Great 
  • Blow Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 54 W: 16 N: 9] (305)
  • [2007-10-09 6:53]

voilà un lieu magnifique mit en valeur par une photo magnifique je te félicite pour cette prise de vue exceptionnelle... félicitation et à très bientôt...

Hello Martyn.
Good story you wrote here.
Me to spend many years in this region, (from 1973 till 1995 with interuptions) Bulding Oil and Gas facillities. Agree, the Arab people are very friendy.
I wouldn't have missed that period.
This picture of that tomb, I've never seen before. Good looking it is.
Jan

Hi Martyn:

The thing I love about Trekearth is not only learning about photography but learning about things that usually is not that well known. Almost everybody has heard of Petra but I never knew about these great carved monuments in Saudi Arabia. Photo well done and interesting.

Roland..........

This type of photo is what TrekEarth is all about. I've never seen the likes of this subject before. I know about Petra and how awesome that place is, but this is really astounding. Thank you for sharing this photo hear. It is a great picture all around.

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