The Silk Tomb just like other Royal Tombs from the complex date to the first half of the first century AD. It was used to burry some of the most prominent leaders of Petra. It is hard to say the reason for such a name, but some speculated that Silk Tomb gets its name from majestic multi- colored layers of rock that appear like a silk drapery over a tomb.
The internal chamber of the Silk Tomb covers an area of 90 square meters. It was used to hold various religious rituals to honor the dead and multiple gods. It is open to the public unlike other Royal Tombs.