Like a Lamb to the Slaughter

Johann Burckhardt risks his life to re-discover Petra

The Treasury — Petra. All photographs by author.

The guide was suspicious. Johann Burckhardt, although disguised as a Bedouin and speaking perfect Arabic, was unable to control his excitement as he followed his host through the ruins of the lost city of Petra.

He had won this visit by convincing the man he wanted to travel to tomb of Aaron, brother…