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While individuals living near or on archaeological sites have frequently been hired around the world to dig on archaeological excavations, they have very rarely participated in the recording or documentation of those excavations. They have played even less of a role in designing the structures of either paper or electronic data management systems. In this paper, I describe some potential gaps in the archaeological record as a result of this exclusion, by detailing some ways that the communities at Çatalhöyük, Turkey and Petra, Jordan have developed highly situated forms of knowledge about these archaeological sites due to their proximities to them. I also argue that "proximity" inculcates not only forms of knowledge about an archaeological site, but also, under certain conditions, an important means of sharing knowledge between archaeologists and the communities who live where we work. I contrast proximity to the expansiveness of big data, and question whether it is possible and even preferable to imagine ways of integrating local, proximate perspectives into the rubric of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khirbat Iskandar is an Early Bronze Age (ca. 3800-1950 BCE) mound in the Madaba Governorate of Jordan. Until a decade ago, it was better known as a key site for the non-urban Early Bronze IV period (ca. 2500-1950 BCE), but is increasingly emerging as a signature site for the urban Early Bronze II-III period (ca. 3050-2500 BCE). The contour of the tall site is shaped by the presence of buried fortifications that were investigated in the north-western sector of the mound, where a long sequence of rebuilds was recognized, but were exposed to and impacted by modern construction activities along the southern and south-eastern areas prior to being recorded. There, due to erosion and weathering, the stone fortifications dating to the first half of the Early Bronze III (ca. 2850-2650 BCE) fell down. In this paper, we report on our strategies to assess threats, document damages, sustainably stabilize, and consolidate the collapsed ancient fortifications in the 2023 field season at Khirbat Iskandar. At the same time, we discuss the conceptual/methodological and practical challenges of identifying best practices in the conservation and preservation of antiquities that collapsed prior to being excavated. We conclude with some thoughts on how to build on these actions to efficiently present the archaeology and cultural heritage at protohistoric sites, like Khirbat Iskandar, and to make it accessible for the local and the international communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a final report of the 2011 season of excavation at the archaeological site of Gadara (Umm Qais) in Jordan. The season was directed by Lamia El-Khouri (PhD), during the 15th of June until the 28th of July 2011. The excavation took place in Area Z, along the southern edge of the main colonnaded street (Decumanus Maximus). The main discoveries showed that this part of the city was occupied during several historical periods, from the Late Hellenistic until the Crusader–Mamluk periods. The majority of archaeological artefacts in the excavated area showed clear evidence of intensive human activities mostly in the Late Byzantine, Umayyad and Abbasid periods. This paper includes a full description of the historical levels as well as the most impressive archaeological finds that were collected during the excavation. An isometric reconstruction drawing of the original construction was produced to give a better view of the city of Gadara during the Graeco–Roman period. As it has been delineated by the stylobate and the other architectural remains, this building seems to have been part of an inner courtyard lined by an Ionic peristyle. It was perhaps a sort of square-shaped colonnaded enclosure, a courtyard, or an open-air garden used for exercise, whether it was part of a bath construction, or a palaestra on the atrium of a private house or a gymnasium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of University of Sharjah Journal for Humanities & Social Sciences is the property of University of Sharjah - Scientific Publishing Unit and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Consensus exists on the importance of heritage for ensuring sustainable futures, due to its impact on political aspects, ethical reflection and local economic development. Nowadays, using technology has become crucial in the construction industry, including heritage conservation. This paper aims to compare a selected sample of digital platforms, gathering data in support of heritage documentation, both for heritage and archeological sites. Despite the huge potential of digital technologies for contributing to heritage conservation, still there is a need for more clarity on what should be used to achieve different goals and what is the best approach under various circumstances. A team of five experts on digital technologies applied to different types of heritage worked collaboratively to gather the case studies in this paper and to analyse them comparatively. Jordan is a Middle East and North Africa country chosen as unit of analysis, because of the huge potential of digital technologies for heritage documentation. The findings from the comparative case review offers a reflection on what should best adopted for achieving different goals. Differences of approaches were revealed between the characteristics of heritage site and those of archaeological sites in Jordan's conservation history. The findings called for a prioritization of using digital technology in both heritage and archeological sites. The discussion on digital platforms currently available in Jordan allows for highlighting strengths and limitations of different approaches and methodologies, thus drawing lessons for addressing the strategic choice of the most appropriate digital solution under different circumstances and in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umm Tawabin (‘Mother of Bread Ovens’ in Arabic) is a large fortress overlooking the Wadi ‘Arabah and southern Dead Sea in Jordan. From the time of its discovery by a Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) expedition in the late 19th century, Umm Tawabin had not been excavated, nor published extensively in spite of its strategically elevated location with panoramic views on all sides, its monumental fortification and numerous and varied archaeological remains until the Ghor as-Safi Project survey (Ariotti 2017) and excavations (Ariotti 2022; 2021; Politis and Ariotti 2020). The goal of this investigation was to determine the extent, function (or multiple functions) and dating of the site, along with the subsistence practices and diet of its inhabitants based on its topographical, architectural and excavated material culture, botanical and faunal remains (Ariotti 2021, Edwell 2023, Hansen and Heinrich, in press). This paper presents an overview of the chronological development and strategic importance of Umm Tawabin from the Hellenistic to Roman periods in view of its stratigraphic evidence, radiocarbon dates and pottery. It also presents some fragmentary remains dated to the Iron Age II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological plant remains are key data in the identification of the material consequences of imperial interventions in past local lifeways. In this paper, the spatial and stratigraphic analysis of plant remains preserved in a hypothesized kitchen context from the archaeological site of Dhiban, Jordan, is presented in detail. This context is dated to ca. a.d. 570–640 based on 16 AMS dates, a time when the Dhiban community was part of and located at the eastern edge of the Byzantine empire. Analysis of over 130 point-provenienced flotation samples reveals a local emphasis on the agricultural production of wheat, peas, and grape, in spite of the challenges of water management in a semi-arid landscape. Comparison with other nearby and contemporaneous sites indicates that while all grew a similar suite of crops, their frequencies vary, possibly indicating a community of agricultural practice specializing in different foodstuffs or crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a preliminary but a comprehensive examination of a terracotta juglet retrieved from the Islamic site of Umm Zweitineh, in central Jordan. This article attempts to pinpoint a fresh addition to our knowledge of the Mameluke period pottery assembly known elsewhere in the Levant. Since neither coherent architectural remains were exposed nor stratigraphic sequence was discerned, however, the unearthed archaeological objects, including the juglet being studied, have not been attributed to specific contexts (e.g., rooms), or loci or strata. Due to budget constraints, there was no possibility to conduct a petrographic analysis. Instead, the authors set out to explore the fabric and decorative scheme of the juglet by the naked eye and to describe the fabric and decoration colours according to the Munsell Chart. We presented it typologically and dated it based on parallels from well-dated sites, especially Hesban, since its decorative scheme, production technique and shape were commonplace in the region of Syria–Palestine from the 12th through the 14th centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a summary of work undertaken by the authors and their teams on a series of Qe'an (plural of Qa'), in the Badia of eastern Jordan. These basins are foci for settlement in the region, with the sites described here (Shubayqa, Wisad and the Qa' Qattafi) edged by archaeological sites dating from the late Epipalaeolithic (ca. 14,500 - 11,600 cal BP) and the Neolithic (ca. 11,700 - 6100 cal BP), and in areas still used by people today as seasonal wetlands for watering animals and growing cereal. We assess here the potential for the Qe'an sediments to provide what would be rare continuous palaeoenvironmental records for this part of SW Asia. The paper presents the first dates from the Qe'an of this region and the outline sedimentology. Much of the fill is of Holocene age, which leads to discussion of climate and landscape change over the last 15,000 years, particularly due to the close geographical relationship between these basins and archaeology. Our optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating of the basin fill suggests that there was significantly more space in the landscape for water storage in the early Holocene, which may have therefore provided this resource for people and their livestock or game for a longer duration each year than that seen today. Linked to this are hypotheses of a more vegetated landscape during this time period. Given the environmentally marginal nature of our study area subtle changes in landscape and/or climate, and human exploitation of these resources, could have led to significant, and likely detrimental for its inhabitants, environmental impacts for the region, such as desertification. Our data are suggestive of desertification occurring, and sets up a clear hypothesis for testing by future work in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Institute of Croatian History / Radovi Zavoda za Hrvatsku Povijest is the property of Zavod za Hrvatsku Povijest, Filozofski Fakultet and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The shift from presenting and analyzing threedimensional data in 2D to displaying and analyzing them in a 3D environment is becoming increasingly prevalent in archaeological practice. This approach opens new possibilities, such as a 3D virtual reality, that archaeologists can take advantage of. This paper presents an application of the Visual Viewshed Simulation, a 3D virtual reality tool for (re)constructing the visibility of objects in the field, taking into account factors such as atmospheric and lighting conditions. This approach can provide a new way to research people–place relations and may be particularly useful in landscape archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of archaeological sites are recorded, but unfortunately only some are excavated in Jordan. Many of these were either destroyed or at few cases protected by the local communities, in the meantime others were illegally excavated by the treasure hunters. Archaeological work in Jordan must place the local communities as the heart of protection and presenting efforts of this cultural heritage. It has been argued that by engaging the local communities in the long-term archaeological fieldworks and in restoring and conserving the archaeological sites on year-round programs that might help with local employment, training and education. This paper aims at shedding light on the local communities' attitude against the archaeological sites. The archaeological site of Tell Deir 'Alla might be considered as a good example of explaining this relation. To discuss, the partners of the project (Jordanian and Dutch) constructed an archaeological research station that includes a small site-museum in which many inhabitants of the town Deir 'Alla are engaged in supervising, cleaning and cooking for the teams excavating at sites in Valley and renting the station. Moreover, the inhabitants of Deir 'Alla and the surroundings are always involved in all activities of the excavations conducted in the Jordan valley. In addition, the Tell Deir 'Alla long-term project produced an excellent relationship amongst the local community and the members of the joint expedition. We assume that due to this good relationship, the financial help offered to the local community of Deir 'Alla, and the archaeological field training offered to the inhabitants of the town Deir 'Alla and the surrounding villages, the site has been saved and protected from destruction and illicit excavations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Mu’tah Lil-Buḥūth wad-Dirāsāt: Humanities & Social Sciences Series is the property of Mutah University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mudayna as-Saliya is a fortress site at the summit of an isolated promontory near the eastern end of Wadi Mujib, central Jordan. Archaeological surveys of the site have exposed potential evidence of Iron Age and classical period use with its occupational zenith in the late Hellenistic-early Roman period. The ruin on the surface is remarkably similar in architectural and hydrological design to the fortress of Machaerus. This paper, based on available survey data, suggests that the Hasmoneans were responsible for the construction of the fortress at Mudayna as-Saliya, which was reused by the Nabateans during the early Roman period. Finding a potential Hasmonean desert fortress on the desert fringe of eastern Transjordan was unexpected, and it might have significant ramifications for the study of Hasmonean, Herodian, and Nabatean kingdoms in central Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will study the molecular structure of human bone fragments in the field of conservation science. The fragments were excavated from the sites of Tell al-Husn and Al Yasileh in Jordan. The applying of Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transformation infrared for comparison and Analysis of bone as a new method for hard tissue primary bone dating in the field of archaeometry. A collection of bone fragments were prepared for measurements using this new technique in dating from different ancient sites in Jordan. It is shown that the bone objects are dated back around to 2,000 years (Roman period), determined by a typological study of pottery by the excavators of these sites. This preliminary dating by vibrational spectroscopy as a preliminary method was used to classify the bone fragments if they are archaeological artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper will be presented the use of photogrammetry integrated to the process of representation of an archaeological site. The Khirbat al-Dūsaq site, Jordan, is an architectural complex composed by three remaining buildings with different shapes and functions. The first one is a reception building name īwān. The second one is vaulted and its function has not been determined yet. The third is a bath with all the complexity that are required for such a function (multiple rooms and sequence of spaces). The site is being excavated and there remains unknown information archaeologists want to discover and represent. This project takes places after several years of collaboration on different other archaeological sites. During these different projects, methods of acquisition, processes and drawings at different places and stages have been developed and work methods that includes the use of photogrammetry are now integrated to the archaeological practices. There is now a need by archaeologists for ortho-photos to draw precise plans. The integration of photogrammetry into the practice of archaeology on site helps also to reduce the time consumption to survey and to represent excavation activity. The data sets obtained year after year can also be used as a support for 3D reconstruction. The 3D modelling stage begins by integrating the context represented here by 3D textured mesh produced during the process of ortho-photos. The integration of photogrammetry started in 2015 by acquiring pictures from bath building. This work had to be extended to the entire complex so that it has been decided to manage it, in a proper way. In 2016, a survey network has been implemented, and complete photogrammetric data set have been produced. At this time there was a photogrammetric survey reference for all the data sets of the site. Several years of survey means that the project has to adapt to its specific context. The site life during 11 months without archaeological preoccupations signifies that it is evolving, so that in 2017, ground points had disappeared. The possibility to geo-reference future data sets imposes to integrate targets on pictures from 2016 data set. The remaining building walls on site keep their shape enough to be integrated as constant structures over the years. At first it has been decided to integrate photogrammetry technic to the representation process of the Khirbat al-Dūsaq site. It has proved, by the precision and flexibility of processes that good quality representations could be produced and the 3D documentation could be used as a support of 3D reconstruction stage also. Photogrammetric documentation, as soon as it is properly managed over the years can thus be integrated in archaeologic practices and can help to reduce time consuming stages and propose other activity support as 3D reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umm Qais is one of the most significant archaeological tourist attractions in Jordan besides Petra and Jerash. It is also popular with locals due to its rich diversity of natural history features and landscapes. However, there has been no detailed study of approaches to visitor management at the site. This paper investigates the visitor management pressures on the site of Umm Qais, seeking to develop an understanding of the approaches that direct the process of visitor management in an archaeological site. The specific objective of this study is to identify and analyse the current visitor management measures and tools at the site. It explores issues of hard and soft visitor management through monitoring, visitor guidance, and interpretation. The study has been conducted as a qualitative case study, and its results are based on direct personal observation and discussions with the personnel that have been conducted on-site by the Jordanian authors. Despite the visitor management applied approaches, results reveal important and continuing challenges for Umm Qais due to limited visitor monitoring, weak information, and poor restriction measures. Based on the findings of the study, some recommendations are made in order to permit the local heritage managers to develop the site and its visitor management appropriately. This is an essential process in aiding this potential World Heritage Site to update approaches and adapt to the changing circumstances related to the visitor needs for the site. This will contribute to heritage and tourism literature and practice by enhancing the knowledge of visitor management at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following research deals with Al-Qastal Palace, one of the most important early Islamic structures. It dates specifically to the Umayyad era in Jordan. Its floors are decorated with geometric mosaics, which were revealed during a series of archaeological excavations. These mosaics are characterized by a high level of artistic skill in their execution, particularly as evidenced by the great diversity in their shapes and designs. This study marks a serious attempt to compare the palace’s mosaics with their counterpart in Byzantine art as represented at various Byzantine sites, likewise, to show the influence of Byzantine models on Islamic mosaics. Our research suggests that there was a prevalent school of art that was widespread in the region. By comparing the mosaics with relatively nearby sites, we were able to arrive at a comprehensive overview of mosaic production in the region, and determine whether they all belong to a single school of art. A serious attempt is being made to identify the main sources of influence for Qasr al-Qastal, especially those coming from Asia Minor, but also from other places outside the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2013, an archaeological survey was carried out in the Hazimah plains, situated in the Jebel Qurma region of north-eastern Jordan. These plains surround the so-called Black Desert or harra, which has been known to contain an extremely rich archaeological and epigraphic record. In contrast to the harra, little is known about the archaeology of the surrounding hamad landscapes, and the survey presented in this paper aims to contribute to filling in this gap of knowledge. Initially, the survey aims to investigate the long-term history of settlement and land-use of this seemingly hostile environment, and, at the same time, seeks out an efficient methodology for locating the remains of the largely mobile communities that inhabited the Hazimah plains in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan has a complex history that has left tangible traces in numerous archaeological sites scattered throughout the country. This unique heritage of inestimable cultural value must be documented, thoroughly researched, and protected in order to prevent its destruction and loss. In this context, knowledge and documentation can be achieved through the application of non-destructive geophysical and geomatic methods. This work represents a synthesis of the results of twenty years of projects carried out at the archaeological sites of Basta, Petra, Um-Hamat (Karak), Umm ar-Rasas, Wu'Ayra, Madaba, and Shawbak. This study enables the exploration of new buried structures in the ground and the documentation of the state of preservation of the structures. It provides an up-to-date overview of Jordan's rich archaeological heritage and supports restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper revisits the contribution of the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) to the study of the ancient copper mines of Faynan, Jordan. It reveals that it was a PEF expedition that first reported smelting remains in the northern part of the Faynan region, and demonstrates that the reported remains are the Iron Age site of Khirbat al-Jariya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2000 Season of the Brown University excavations of the so-called Great Temple at Petra, an elusive rock-cut figure (termed the 'Sword Deity') was discovered in the southern perimeter wall. Since then, the current authors have identified other such figures as belonging to this previously unknown type, which has similarities with the Greek herm. Based on a contextual analysis of these figures, it is proposed that the type may depict a protective deity or 'lord' of the Nabataean stonemasons, most likely Dushara. According to this interpretation, the stonemasons sought divine protection during their work by carving the image of the deity high in the rock faces. This paper sheds new light not only on the representation of Nabataean deities, but also on the role of religion in the daily life of the inhabitants of Petra and their relationship with the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with pottery vessels from a newly discovered Ammonite dovecote located at Ain al-Baida in north-east Amman. This dovecote may have operated independently or as an adjunct to a large estate or farm holding. Based on parallel ceramic studies, the writers date the establishment to the period from the late eighth to the sixth centuries BC. This discovery is unique, since no other comparable example from the late Iron Age is attested in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From its inception, archaeology was perceived as the domain of expert practitioners of the scientific method. The history of disjuncture between archaeological site research and local community development springs from the myths of Western scientific superior knowledge. The archaeologist-scientist-expert came armed with scientific method to excavate samples and take his reports back to Europe/America for fellow scholars. The early stereotype of the negative relationship between archaeology and community was passed on from the colonial period to the era of nationalization. The new national antiquities authorities inherited the disconnection between archaeology and local communities as the status quo. Though treated in a global context, this paper focuses on the history of this stereotype in the Levant, but gives an optimistic view of the present and future trend towards greater inclusion, using the Umm el-Jimal Project as a case in point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the contextual meaning of a mosaic pavement from Daphne (Harbiye) near Antioch (Antakya) which depicts hunting episodes among fruit trees and a hunter in the center triumphant over various animals. The pavement, which is now in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, therefore known as the Worcester Hunt, can be dated to the last quarter of the fifth and first quarter of the sixth century AD. The pavement has never been examined with particular emphasis to the fruit trees diagonally growing from its corners. Although it is difficult to identify these trees, they are likely to be pomegranate; pear; a tree with round fruits (apple or medlar); and a tree with heart-shaped fruits (peach, apricot or citrus fruit). While diagonally organizing the space on the pavements with trees is well-known in Antioch mosaics, depiction of fruit trees with ripe fruits is quite rare. The meaning of the pavement and the fruit trees need to be sought by referring to the archaeological context and iconographic details of the mosaic pavement. Daphne, where the pavement was discovered, was the pleasant suburb of Antioch. References from Libanius suggest that Antiochenes retreated to Daphne and spent time by hunting during the warm months. In terms of iconography, the hunt scenes on the pavement are rather unrealistic, since the hunting takes place in a cultivated orchard, instead of in the wild or in the arena. Such unrealistic elements and references to Daphne suggest that the trees are ideal, not real, elements that allude to a décor of mild climate and pleasant landscape when the hunting takes place. The fruit trees, on the whole, allude to the bounty of the local landscape, pleasant climate, and the hunting events taking place at this climate. The triumphant hunter figure in the center further clarifies the meaning of the pavement. He is probably the personification of the patron or the patron himself, who generously organized hunting events at his own expense. The overall aim of the mosaic, then, is the display of the munificence of the patron who sponsored hunting activities in a pleasant climate and landscape. The second part of the paper presents comparable pavements in the Jordan area, mostly from church contexts, which share the same or similar fruit tree arrangement with the Worcester Hunt. Some of these pavements even have the same species of fruit trees in the same order as the Worcester Hunt. The meaning of the pleasant climate and bounty of the earth was repeated in some churches, while in others, the fruit trees gained a religious meaning and meant to represent the pleasant climate of the paradise. Although it is difficult to suggest that the Worcester Hunt pavement made a direct impact on the development of paradisiacal iconography on the church pavements, it is undeniable that the Worcester Hunt and church mosaics in Jordan share a common language and iconography centered on fruit trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutting-edge photogrammetric techniques combined with traditional methods are a boon for archaeologists interested in performing spatial analyses. Low-altitude aerial photography (LAAP) combined with photogrammetric Image Based Modeling (IBM) comprise a workflow that allows for precise and accurate recording of both photographic and elevation data of archaeological sites with a great deal of speed and efficiency. Through these techniques, the researcher can create spatially-referenced orthophotos and digital elevation models (DEMs), which can serve as the basis for investigations into site formation processes. Due to the rapidity of the creation of these datasets, analysis of site formation processes can be completed over the course of hours or days. The results of such site formation studies can inform and guide further archaeological investigations of sites. This paper presents the application of a combined LAAP-IBM method to acquire GIS data, which serves as the basis for a case study of a new model of the effects of erosion on archaeological sites – a key factor in understanding site formation processes. These methods are applied to Khirbat Nuqayb al-Asaymir, a Middle Islamic site in southern Jordan, as a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan is blessed with valuable archaeological vestiges that date back to several significant decades. The uncontrolled rapid urban sprawl due to different political, social and economic reasons and the absence of a well-articulated conservation plan that ensures the effective integration of archaeological treasure in the planning process has led to the irreversible deterioration of the physical fabric harmony leaving a deep negative impact on the archaeological sites and their surroundings. The aim of this paper is to formulate a supporting organic management model that guides the conservation of archaeological sites setting in urban contexts in Jordan, in a harmonious holistic way that combines heritage conservation and urban development, archaeological site and its surrounding, theory and practice, international attitude with the local cases qualifications’ based on international ethics and guidelines. The resultant model provides a structure for approaching any complex situation and for designing appropriate solutions intended to conserve the site's cultural significance. Moreover, the model enables moving through different disciplines to reach the goal of preservation and can be easily broken into subsystems to tolerate the interdisciplinary nature of the research problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of American Anthropologist is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the area east of the river Jordan, eight Iron Age structures identified as cultic have been excavated. This paper presents the evidence as published and discusses the relevance of the cultic identification of the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering destructive nature of archaeological excavation appropriate documentation of archaeological sites is very important. The paper presents results of study which aimed to compare three different modern measuring methods used to document archaeological objects directly in the field. First method of measurements was close-range photogrammetry using non-metric cameras. This method is already widely used in archaeology. The second device used was FARO Freestyle 3D scanner. The manufacturer claims that this is unique, top-quality, high-precision, handheld scanner that allows to create colored high-definition point clouds of every type of surface. Thanks to its small size and weight the scanner allows to measure and scan in tight and hard-to-reach areas. The third measurement tool was FARO Focus M70 laser scanner which can be used both indoors and outdoors to collect precise data about objects within a radius of up to 70 meters. These attributes make it ideal for measurements in limited spaces. This mobile device allows for fast, simple and accurate measurements of small construction sites, facades, complex structures, industrial installations, accidents and crimes scenes. Integrated HDR camera provides complex documentation in the best quality. The research was carried out on two archaeological sites in South Jordan: the Roman fort in Dajaniya and the ancient city of Tuwaneh. The documentation of these sites was the main objective of BARI - Buildings ARcheology Inventory project conducted in cooperation with archaeologists from the Institute of Archeology of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow. The tests described in this paper pertain to three objects: characteristic hole in the fort wall and one of trenches in Dajanya and thermae remains in Tuwaneh. The aim of the research was pointing out advantages and disadvantages of each method regarding to economics, accuracy, ease of use of equipment, time of data acquisition and post-processing, hardware and software costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jerash Journal for Research & Studies is the property of Jerash University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The rescue excavations, conducted by the Department of Antiquities of Jordan in 1999 and 2000 under the supervision of Alia Khasawneh and Nasr Al-Zubi, in two late Roman/ Early Byzantine cemeteries at Waqqas and At Turra, in the territories of The Irbid Governorate, brought to light a number of glass flasks among the other funeral objects. A group of sixteen delicate glass flasks from both sites are presented here. This paper demonstrates that the flasks were used as kohl "eyeliner"containers. The analysis of a sample obtained from one of the flasks revealed that it was the mineral Galena. Furthermore, the presence of small applicators (kohl sticks) with the glass flasks confirms their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological sites have been subjected to preservation efforts due to their significant historical and cultural value, as well as their vulnerability. Several advanced digital imageries and modeling technologies have been proposed in the literature and adopted in practice to obtain accurate data required to manage and restore archaeological sites. This study proposes an integrated data collection and analysis methodology combining aerial and close-range photogrammetry, geographic information systems (GIS), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies to capture essential geospatial and geophysical information for preserving archaeological sites. The integrated methodology was applied and demonstrated with data and information collected from the important archaeological site of Qaser Amra, which is an ancient castle located in the desert in Jordan. The proposed methodology generated various levels of details, including a 2.5-dimensional geo-reference model, a GIS vector site layout, and a three-dimensional (3D) textured model. Subsurface detection of anomalies was performed across the site using the GPR technology. Most anomalies indicated shallow subsurface walls buried within depths ranging from half to one meter and at different extensions. Moreover, based on the GPR data, the horizontal and vertical extent of Qaser Amra's walls were defined using 3D imaging. The integrated 3D archaeological model of Qaser Amra can be used for archaeological documentation, maintenance and monitoring, conservation, tourism, and urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glass finds presented in this article—the catalog encompasses 200 pieces constituting a representative selection of tableware, lamps and windowpanes—span a time from the 1st century through the 9th, corresponding to the Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic/Abbasid periods in Jordan. The assemblage derives from 15 months of uninterrupted fieldwork, carried out within the frame of the Jerash International Project run by the Department of Antiquities of Jordan between October 1982 and the end of 1983, at two locations within the ancient urban site in Jerash, the ancient Gerasa. These locations were: a residential area by the South Decumanus and a small church founded by Bishop Marianos in the vicinity of the hippodrome and Hadrian’s Arch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the evidence from the Deutsches Bergbau Museum excavations at Barqa el-Hetiye 'House I', located in the Faynan district of southern Jordan. It presents a re-interpretation of the site and its data and links technological changes in the production of copper that take place at Faynan during the later Early Bronze Age (EBA II-III) to changes in the material culture at Barqa el-Hetiye which suggest influences from the western Leavant as a key factor in these developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the concerns about the management of cultural resource, the uses of archaeological sites, and the management of visitors at the archaeological sites of Umm Qais, Jordan.

The Neolithic site of Beidha in southern Jordan is a highly significant and unique site that documents the evolution of early human residential architecture. The architectural remains of the site have been seriously deteriorated over the years due to natural and human factors. The site value is being diminished and its existence is threatened. Therefore, this research is meant to be a response to this undesirable situation. This research aims at proposing conservation measures that can safeguard the site and minimize future risks. Due to its many advantages including preserving the authenticity and integrity of the site, cost effectiveness and sustainability, preventive conservation approach is adopted. This approach is based on the preservation of the architectural remains by avoiding the agents of deterioration and applying the minimum repairs using compatible materials. Field surveys, laboratory analyses and documentary research were used to examine and analyze the remaining structures in terms of their building techniques, building materials, and forms and causes of weathering and deterioration. Based on the obtained results two levels of preventive conservation measures proposed to safeguard and preserve the site: preventive measures that are based on avoiding the agents of deterioration and measures that are based on minimum intervention to inhibit the propagation of future damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper characterization and diagnosis of corrosion behaviour is key for devising effective conservation measures for their long term stabilization. In this study the nature and causes of corrosion of a collection of copper based objects that are exhibited at the Museum of Jordanian Heritage was performed. The objects were excavated from two archaeological sites in Jordan: Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) and Tell- es-Sa'idiyeh (TS). An integrated approach that combines the use of OM, SEM-EDX, XRD, and AAS was used to determine the nature and extent of corrosion, chemical composition of the objects and their manufacturing techniques. The physcio-chemical parameters of the burial soils were also determined. The results revealed the complex multi-layered structure of the alteration layers and show the presence of different types of copper chlorides and their role in active corrosion of some of the objects. The results prove the strong correlation between the corrosivity of the burial environments and the post excavation corrosion behaviour of the objects. Objects excavated from burial environments of high chloride content suffer from severe active corrosion while objects excavated from soils of low chloride content are relatively stable. The study proposes the conservation measures that need to be implemented in order to ensure the long term stabilization of the objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations at Khirbat al-Sar in 2019 yielded a small assemblage of animal remains dating mainly to the Mamluk period. An archaeozoological analysis provided insight into the food provisioning of the site's inhabitants. Caprines (sheep and goat) and cattle made up the bulk of animal food products. The other species present in small quantities are the dromedary, the horse, the dog, the chicken and the hare. The faunal remains offer an opportunity to collect data on animal management and consumption during this period, of which we know very little in terms of archaeozoology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Islamic city of Ayla was founded in the eighth century. The city is located adjacent to the beach and extends for a few tens of meters north of the Gulf of Aqaba shoreline. The city was, once, a flourishing and commercial port, communicating with other ports around the Indian Ocean and with the Far East. The city had land roads that connect with Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and the Arabian Peninsula. The excavated ruins and other features are related to an ancient Islamic city. The ground penetrating radar survey was carried out using a Subsurface Interface Radar System- (SIRvoyer-20) with two different central frequency monostatic antennae 900 MHz and 400 MHz to target abundant subsurface buried archaeological material for forward excavations. The interpretation of radar cross section (radargram) shows many buried features with different patterns, widths, and shallow depths between 0.20 m to 0.6 m. These anomalies are corresponding to the depth of the excavated walls in the study area. GPR anomalies are discontinuous and being shifted and located at a high liquefaction susceptibility zone confirms that several earthquakes have rocked Aqaba and Gulf of Aqaba region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological research, especially field excavation research, despite due diligence, may lead to irreversible damages. That is why preparing detailed and comprehensive documentation is essential part of archaeological work before and during exploration of archaeological sites. In such cases, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently widely used to register state of preservation of archaeological sites and objects. Data collected by UAV allows to generate digital terrain models (DTMs) and orthomosaics. In turn, they (along with results of other research, such as geophysical surveys) form the basis for selection of excavation areas. In this paper authors present process of DTMs and orthomosaics of archaeological sites generation without using UAV. The studies in order to provide documentation of two archaeological sites in southern Jordan: the ancient city of Tuwaneh and the Roman fort in Dajaniya, were conducted as a part of the BARI -Buildings ARcheology Inventory project, which was carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Archeology of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow. Unfortunately, due to formal regulations using UAV in the territory of Jordan was not possible (no permission to import and use UAV from the Jordanian government administration). Therefore, it was decided to collect survey data with the use of alternative method – GoPro action camera mounted on boom. In this article, authors describe the full methodology of conducting measurements and the results of tests aimed at determining the accuracy of generated photogrammetric products. Optimization of ground control points was discussed along with amount of images collected. Referential measurements were carried out by means of FARO FocusM70 laser scanner and close range photogrammetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations from 2013 to 2015 at the site of Shishan Marsh 1 (SM1) in the Azraq Basin of eastern Jordan have yielded substantial late middle Pleistocene lithic assemblages in association with faunal remains. Faunal preservation is poor, but multiple taxa have been identified, including cf. Panthera leo , Gazella sp., Bos cf. primigenius , Camelus sp., Equus spp., cf. Stephanorhinus hemitoechus , Palaeoloxodon cf. recki , and Elephas cf. hysudricus. The overall Azraq habitat may have been most similar to a savanna ecosystem, with a mixture of open grassland/shrub habitats and more closed vegetation along the wetlands margins. These taxa were drawn to the relatively lush oasis environment, where they were a dietary resource of the hominin groups exploiting the wetlands resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five Iron Age ceramic lamps from a tomb at the site of Sahab in the south-eastern part of central Jordan were analysed using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of this study provide data on the type of fuel used in three of these lamps. The study proposes that animal fat, possibly of ruminant origin, was used in three Early Iron Age II lamps. The material used in the other two Iron Age I lamps could not be determined due to the absence of diagnostic biomarkers. The data obtained from the lamps can be put in conjunction with the archaeological evidence on the availability of domestic animals and, most probably, use of their products at the site of Sahab during the Iron Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeobotanical samples recovered during the 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2011 excavation seasons at the Petra Garden and Pool Complex (PGPC) in Jordan examined plants that were preserved during different phases of use of the site. The analysis of these remains attempts to determine what plants would have been grown in the garden in antiquity. Results indicated that the material recovered likely represented plants that had been preserved elsewhere in the area and then deposited in the garden to act as fertilizer. The remains were generally charred and were probably derived from fuel and/or waste deposits as it does not appear that the garden was catastrophically burned. Although it is difficult to ascertain garden variety plants under these preservation conditions, an analysis of the archaeobotanical data from the PGPC addresses the questions of what and how plants functioned in the local and regional economy, and how the role of the garden changed through time, in addition to providing insight into the general environmental or ecological conditions present in southern Jordan from the Late Hellenistic through Late Byzantine/Post-Classical periods. Although ornamental species represent a small fraction of materials collected, the presence of these taxa may indicate their occurrence in the garden. Even if garden plants are not readily identifiable, this study aids in addressing the larger issues of trade, economy and environment of this ancient city, as well as the feasibility of identifying garden plants in antiquity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assyrian control of small kingdoms in the southern Levant during the Iron Age opened new trade routes and had an effect on the patterns of exchange. This exchange involved tribute as well as trade. The result for small polities such as Moab was the appearance in small numbers of high-status goods with a foreign origin, along with imitations of such goods produced closer to home. At the Iron Age site of Khirbat al-Mudayna on Wadi ath-Thamad (Mudayna Thamad), excavation exposed a walled town consisting of a series of industrial buildings (B200-210), a compact domestic area (B300-312) near the North Gate (B100), and a sprawling domestic area at the south end of the mound, Complex 400 (B400-408). It is in this complex that the greatest number of high-status and exotic objects were located. The elite character of this complex was first recognized in 2004 with the discovery of a Middle Bronze Age "Anra" scarab in what was otherwise a secure Iron Age II context. More recent finds include two glazed ceramic bottles and a collection of alabaster, calcite, steatite, and faience cosmetic vessels. This study focuses on an analysis of these glazed ceramic bottles, their relationship to Assyrian influence/control at Mudayna Thamad, and their distribution in the Assyrian domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the 2013 Spanish-Italian Archaeological Expedition to Jebel al-Mutawwaq, an Early Bronze Age I village and dolmen field along the Middle Wadi az-Zarqa Valley (Jordan). In particular, this article focuses on the discovery of a burial hidden inside a well-preserved dolmen comprising an entire adult skeleton. The pottery sherds and two large scrapers, found as funerary gifts, date the burial to the EB I, identical to the nearby village. The analysis of the human bones and of the associated artifacts could indicate that the inhumation should be related to an important member of the community, perhaps an individual connected to the activities of the Temple of the Serpents, an EB I sanctuary discovered inside the settlement during the past excavations. The custom of removing burials from the dolmens at the end of their use is well attested by past excavations. But the burial of this individual was left inside the tomb for reasons that remain unclear, though we speculate that those reasons were religious in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors argue that the orientation of ancient megalithic monuments found on Jordan's Transjordan Plateau is astronomically significant. Focus is given to the positioning of a series of dolmens associated with necropolises, as well as the history of the dolmens' excavation and the threats posed to these monuments in modern times by the expansion of Jordanian quarries.

The Community Archaeology in Azraq Program (ACAP) seeks to better understand different ways of knowing the past through its work with community members and archaeological projects in Azraq, Jordan. This article explores how the activities and themes of ACAP are useful for thinking about hte broader meaning of community archaeology in Southwest Asia. Specific themes explored include visibility, accessibility, fragility, and narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khirbat Nuqayb al-Asaymir, in the Faynan region of southern Jordan, is one of the best-preserved Middle Islamic-period copper production sites in the southern Levant. Two seasons of survey in Wadi al-Ghuwayb and Wadi al-Jariya revealed much about the site and the landscape surrounding it, which during the Middle Islamic period was exploited primarily for mining and pastoral activities. The finds from these surveys, focusing on those collected at Khirbat Nuqayb al-Asaymir, are presented here. A new model explaining the revival of copper mining and smelting activities in Faynan during the Middle Islamic period, linking copper from Faynan to the expanding Jordanian sugar industry, is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]