As one of the most spectacular site in the middle east, preta has long attracted travelers and explorers.During the 19 century, the site was visited and documented by several europeans after J.L. Bruckhardt's initial visit.A synthesis of petra was published by Libbey and Hoskins in 1905 presenting one of the first overviews in print.Archeological excavations began in earnest at the turn of the century with the earliest scientific expedition being published in Arabia Petraea in 1907.
Modern excavations continue to increase our understanding of the site and correct the work of earlier scholars.Architectural remains now visible at petra indicate a thriving city; despite almost 100 years of excavation, only one percent of the city has been investigated.Given the promise of the Great temple precinct and its importance in understanding Petra's architectural and intercultural history, it is remarkable that it remained unexcavated until 1993 when the Brown University investigations began