Angelica Clarke（蚀刻） · Public domain
19th century · 1784–1817
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt · Jordan
Swiss explorer who 'rediscovered' Petra and Abu Simbel
Born in Lausanne into a Basel silk-merchant family. In Syria he took the name 'Sheikh Ibrahim' and travelled disguised as a poor Arab, learning the language and customs. In 1812 he entered Petra and became the first modern European to see the ancient city; he also made Abu Simbel known in Europe. He died in Cairo in 1817.
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History · Petra
The excuse of sacrificing a goat
In 1812 the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, travelling to Cairo under the name 'Sheikh Ibrahim', heard of ruins of an ancient city in a canyon near the tomb of Aaron (Moses' brother). Fearing that asking directly would arouse suspicion, he told his guide he wished to sacrifice a goat at Aaron's tomb, and was led through the narrow gorge. On 22 August he became the first modern European to see Petra with his own eyes.
History · Abu Simbel
The small temple for the queen
Ramesses II reigned for 66 years and is one of the most famous pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He had two temples carved into a cliff in Nubia: the Great Temple dedicated to himself, its façade fronted by four seated statues 20 m tall, and the Small Temple dedicated to his queen Nefertari, with small statues of her and their children standing at the feet of the pharaoh's colossi. In the early 19th century the Swiss explorer Burckhardt made Europe aware again of these two temples half-buried in sand.
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