Archaeologists Seek to Safeguard Petra

AMMAN, Jordan-Archaeologists called Tuesday for urgent steps to safeguard Petra,the ancient rose-red rock city recently picked as one of the new seven wonders of the world,saying an increase in visitors could damage it unless protective measures were taken."Choosing Petra as a world wonder has made the public even more aware of the need to conserve this unique heritage that we have," said Khairieh Amr, a senior archaeologist with Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.But Amr warned that Petra and other archaeological sites in the region could suffer because of a "building boom that is taking place" to expand tourist facilities.Fawwaz Khreisheh, head of the Department of Antiquities, which oversees and maintains the country's archaeological sites, said he was "very optimistic" the Cabinet would soon "give the green light" for a bylaw mandating a strategy to safeguard Petra. "We are hoping within this month or by August, the bylaw will be approved and we'll proceed with Petra Action Plan," Khreisheh told The Associated Press.
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As in the days of Noah...