A Walk Across Petra

A Walk Across Petra

Lecture (1 session) | This program is completed

481 S. Shiloh Drive Fayetteville, AR 72704 United States
Training Room, 159
Open to OLLI Members & Non-OLLI Members
Friday, February 23, 2024 (one day)
1:00 PM-3:00 PM on Fri
$40.00
$25.00

A Walk Across Petra

Lecture (1 session) | This program is completed

Dr. Tom Paradise, professor of geosciences, gemologist and cartographer, has worked in Petra since 1990, mapping and analyzing the beautiful ruins of the “Rose-Red City half as old as time.” With more than three decades of research in Petra, Dr. Paradise will walk us through this magical valley filled with ancient monuments, temples, tombs, and houses, at the crossroads of the booming Nabataean Kingdom. He will finish with an insider’s perspective on having completed more than 15 TV specials on Petra, including the PBS NOVA blockbuster ‘Lost City of Stone’ where he worked on the script, site logistics, maps, and on-air narration that became 55 minutes of television watched now by more than 100 million viewers. When asked to collaborate on several television specials, he had to change his perspective on this magical place -- from a geologic, historic, and architectural laboratory to a visually stunning story that had never been told. Come and learn about the beautiful, ruined city of Petra and how decades of research and analysis became blockbuster international television specials.

  • This class will meet in person at the OLLI offices, located at 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704. Please read your class reminder email for the exact room location.

    Click on the link below for a Google map shot of our location:

    OLLI, 481 S. Shiloh Dr., Fay

Paradise, Tom
Tom Paradise

Tom Paradise is a Professor of Geosciences who comes from a diverse background in geology, architecture, geography, and gemology. Known for his expertise on classical architecture and the cultural heritage of Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, Paradise is also an accredited gemologist with degrees from the US (GIA) and UK (Goldsmith Hall Gem-A), and a former Director for a leading international auction house. His knowledge of Jordan and (historic) gemstones, has been requested by several media outlets including NatGeo, PBS-Nova, Smithsonian, Discovery-Fremantle, ABC, and NPR. He has appeared in 15 TV specials and has published more than 60 papers, chapters, and reports on work in Jordan and gemstones.