The Nabateans lived in southern Jordan, Canaan, and northern Arabia. The civilization is believed to begin around 6 BC. They are well known for their structures carved into sandstone where they lived and thrived; best known for the city of Petra. A sophisticated people, the Nabateans utilized water engineering evidenced by canals, dams and reservoirs which was a method of survival in harsh conditions. They were overtaken by the Romans in 65 BC, and they disappeared by 6 AD, leaving no written literature.