Petra as a Bellwether Archaeological Site on the World Heritage List

Abstract

Some of the most historically and scientifically important, aesthetically spectacular, and famous archaeological World Heritage Sites have seen a dramatic increase in number of visitors in recent decades. The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM) is evaluating how this greatly increased visitation has affected historical and scientific values at four such preeminent sites, a study that has led us to examine as well how ever-increasing torrents of visitors have altered social and economic conditions in nearby communities.