Yiannis, the Bedouins lived in Petra since the fall of the Nabataean and the Romans. They lived in the small cave-like colourful holes, and some of the structures, not covered by the sands! I could still see them there in 1998, but they have since been expelled not to 'bother' the tourists... The King of Jordan built them a new village upstairs, they really did not like, and there where even some serious cases of clashes! Last time I went, in 2007, they were almost gone, just the usual sellers, etc... In fact, a pity!!!!