Archaeological investigations and excavations conducted over the past three decades have revealed evidence indicating that the Petra region was inhabited during the Bronze Age. A settlement from the Early Bronze Age was uncovered at Um Saysaban, located northeast of Al Dayr, where remnants of rectangular houses and pottery remains were discovered, suggesting the continuous occupation of the area by small communities.

Edom's kingdom, stretching from the Wadi el-Hasa in the north to Aqaba in the south, thrived primarily from the 13th to the 8th centuries B.C.

In the Petra Region, the Edomites established several settlements, making use of its natural water sources. Among these settlements were Um al-Biyara (referred to as the 'mother of cisterns') and Ba'ja. However, following a confrontation with King Amaziah of Judah, the region fell under the control of the Nabataeans.

Though the exact date of their arrival is uncertain, the Nabataeans established Petra as a trade hub in the 4th century BC due to its strategic location. They mastered desert survival through advanced irrigation and construction techniques; however, Roman control ultimately led to their decline.

In AD 106, the Roman emperor Trajan incorporated the Nabataean Kingdom and named it the Arabian Provincia, with Bosra as its capital in modern-day Syria. Despite this annexation, Petra retained its significance in the region and maintained its population, earning the title "Metropolis of Arabia" in 114 AD. Later, during Emperor Hadrian's visit in 131 AD, the city was named Hadriane Petra Metropolis. Petra remained a thriving trade center for two more centuries with the construction of the Via Traiana Nova, connecting Bosra in the north to the port of Aila (Aqaba) in the south. Roman urban planning influenced the city's development, resulting in new structures such as the colonnaded Roman road, the Roman Soldier Tomb, and the Sextious Florentinus tomb. The theater, constructed during this period, combined Roman design with Nabataean stone carving techniques.

Upon the arrival of Muslim Arabs in 636 A.D., Petra became under Islamic rule. Surveys and archaeological excavations conducted in the Petra region revealed numerous buildings and villages dating back to various Islamic periods, especially the Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluk, and Ottoman eras. Excavations in Taybeh uncovered a village dating back to the Umayyad period, while in Wadi Musa, several Abbasid-era buildings and olive presses were found. Inside Petra, the Ayyubids rebuilt and restored the Al-Wu'ayra and Al-Habis castles. These castles served as defensive fortifications during the Ayyubid period against the Crusaders, showcasing the strategic importance of Petra in the region. In al-Bayda, a village from the Mamluk period was discovered, including two mosques, and other Islamic villages dating back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods were found in Khirbet Al-Nawafleh, Khirbet Bani 'Atta, and Khirbat al-Mu`Allaq on the Taybeh road. 

Rediscovered in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, Petra gained international fame, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World in 2007. Accordingly, tourist numbers have steadily increased over the years, with visitors flocking to see the ancient city's stunning architecture and rich history. Petra's popularity has also been boosted by its appearance in several famous films, which has cemented its status as a must-see destination.