In the Shadow of the Giants (Jordan, Wadi Rum)

In Jordan, the Wadi Rum desert is a protected reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its red sandstone cliffs sculpted by erosion, its natural arches, and its prehistoric traces of human occupationdating back more than 12,000 years. Sheltered by these monumental walls, the Bedouins have long built temporary or semi-permanent camps, taking advantage of the cool shade and natural relief to protect themselves from thermal extremes.

Today, some of these places host structures inspired by this vernacular logic: orientation facing the setting sun, local materials, and discreet insertion into the landscape to respect the environment. But the rise of experiential tourism in the desert, with its luxury camps often disconnected from the traditional way of life, calls into question the continuity of these practices.