Red sandstone rock-cut tombs and camel, Petra, Jordan

Nobody's home

The tombs and temples that comprise ancient Petra aren't so much additions as subtractions from this Jordanian desert basin. The Nabataeans, who founded the city around two millennia ago, did more tunneling and carving than constructing when they created the 'Rose City' from its pinkish sandstone surroundings. These carved caverns may look like dwellings, but they weren't designed for living in. The cut-outs are part of what's called the Theater Necropolis—one of Petra's several tomb complexes.