Originally said to be a market area,[1] excavations at the site have allowed scholars to identify it as an elaborate Nabataean garden, which included a large swimming pool, an island-pavilion, and an intricate hydraulic system.

While other structures, such as the nearby Nymphaeum, also require water management infrastructure, the Petra Garden and Pool Complex is unique in its combination of hydrology, exotic vegetation, and architecture.

It is difficult to know how this complex functioned in relation to the Great Temple and other adjacent structures because the purpose of nearby buildings also remains unclear.

Fragments from this structure and others reveal that the whole complex was likely painted in dark red, orange, and bright blue, which, in combination with the water and exotic vegetation, would have created an awe-inspiring sight for visitors entering the city from the surrounding desert.

Excavations of the site began in 1998, directed by Leigh-Ann Bedal, who quickly discovered evidence of complex hydraulic management, exotic plants, and a large swimming pool.