I do not archive papers on Academia.edu. If you would like to find copies of my publications, ple... more I do not archive papers on Academia.edu. If you would like to find copies of my publications, please visit my personal website: ianwnjones.com.
Hyperspectral (multiple, narrow band) satellite imaging provides a useful discovery and analytica... more Hyperspectral (multiple, narrow band) satellite imaging provides a useful discovery and analytical tool for archaeologists. The Hyperion instrument, flying on the Earth Observer 1 (EO-1) satellite, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 21, 2000. Hyperion provides 242 (196 calibrated) narrow bands in the visible (VIS) to shortwave infrared range (SWIR), enabling detailed archaeological and geological analyses. We analyzed a Hyperion image swath targeted on Khirbat en-Nahas (KEN), an ancient copper smelting site along the Wadi al-Ghuwayb (WAG) in Jordan’s Faynan district, where extensive ore processing occurred from the third millennium B.C.E. to industrial scale production over several centuries in the early first millennium B.C.E. (Iron Age) and continued until Medieval Islamic times. We use a combination of Principal Components Analysis (PCA), similarity matrices, and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) to locate additional ore processing sites and discern depositional differences that may help illuminate issues related to the organization of production at KEN. Extensive field surveys in the research area provide a unique opportunity to “ground truth” the results of the hyperspectral research. Our results show considerable promise for future work with Hyperion
Recent excavations in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic-p... more Recent excavations in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic-period copper-smelting site known in the eastern side of the valley, which extends south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Five test pits were excavated in 2012 at Khirbat al–Mana‘iyya, a prominent copper-smelting camp in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan. The results of these excavations demonstrate that the site was primarily active in the seventh–ninth century AD. Its distance from the copper sources of south-west ‘Araba suggests that its location was chosen based on proximity to wood and water resources, rather than copper ore deposits. The discovery that the site dates to the early Islamic period has implications for previous and future work in south-east ‘Araba. In particular, it challenges the common—until now—view of the region as virtually devoid of settlement during this period.
Cutting-edge photogrammetric techniques combined with traditional methods are a boon for archaeol... more 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 e 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.
This article provides a critical review of the archaeological, geological and historical evidence... more This article provides a critical review of the archaeological, geological and historical evidence concerning the southern Levantine earthquake of 418/419 AD, specifically its effects on Petra. Historical accounts indicate that the earthquake caused destruction in Jerusalem and elsewhere, but archaeological evidence is sparse. Numerous destruction layers at sites in the Galilee were attributed to the 418/419 earthquake, but these attributions have all been questioned due to the presence of material in these layers post-dating the early 5th century AD. To the south, the attribution of the destruction of the Spätrömisch II phase at al-Zantur, in Petra, to this earthquake has largely been accepted. This paper reviews the published evidence and determines that this, too, has been dated too early. Based on this evidence, I suggest that the destruction of al-Zantur Spätrömisch II occurred in the 6th century and argue that the 418/419 earthquake was a relatively minor event, primarily affecting the Jerusalem region. This has bearing on the dating of diagnostic artifact types found in this phase, notably the Negev wheel-made lamp, which I argue should be considered a reliable indicator of dates in the 6th–7th century AD. This, in turn, has implications for the dating of other sites, notably the Petra Church.
Describes preliminary soundings at Khirbat Faynan, adjacent agricultural field systems (Iron Age)... more Describes preliminary soundings at Khirbat Faynan, adjacent agricultural field systems (Iron Age), Survey in the Buwayridah springs, sounds at Khirbat Nuqayb al-Asaymir middle Islamic copper production site, small sounding at Khirbat Hamra Idan (Early Bronze Age) copper manufactory, Portable XRF field studies, Terrestrial Laser Scanning,
New Insights into the Iron Age Archaeology of Edom, Southern Jordan: Surveys, Excavations and Research from the Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project (ELRAP), Volume 2 (Thomas E. Levy, Mohammad Najjar, and Erez Ben-Yosef, eds.), 2014
Cyber-Archaeology and Grand Narratives: Digital Technology and Deep-Time Perspectives on Culture Change in the Middle East (Thomas E. Levy and Ian W. N. Jones, eds.), 2018
In the past two decades, rapid advances have been made in the application of digital technology t... more In the past two decades, rapid advances have been made in the application of digital technology to archaeology, which have led to the creation of the field of cyber-archaeology. Much of the work in this field, however, has focused on the technical aspects of applying specific technologies to archaeological field and laboratory work. As cyber-archaeology matures, however, it is necessary to consider how these novel methods can contribute to the development of archaeological theory. The chapters in this volume do this by examining potential contributions of cyber-archaeology to “grand narratives” of human history.
This introductory chapter sets the stage for the chapters that follow. It opens with a description of recent advances in cyber-archaeology—defined, in the context of this volume, as “the integration of the latest developments in computer science, engineering, science, and archaeology” (following Levy 2013: 28)—as well as problems that remain to be solved. One lingering problem is the difficulty of bringing disparate datasets together into digital databases, and this is explored using an example from the Digital Archaeological Atlas of the Holy Land (DAAHL). This limitation suggests that while cyber-archaeology is not applicable to some archaeological questions, it is particularly well suited to questions concerning long-term change, or “grand narratives.” Following this example is a theoretical introduction to grand narratives in archaeological theory. While long-term change fell out of fashion several decades ago, it has returned to the theoretical forefront, particularly in Mediterranean archaeology. The chapter ends with a brief introduction to each of the chapters in the volume.
I do not archive papers on Academia.edu. If you would like to find copies of my publications, ple... more I do not archive papers on Academia.edu. If you would like to find copies of my publications, please visit my personal website: ianwnjones.com.
Hyperspectral (multiple, narrow band) satellite imaging provides a useful discovery and analytica... more Hyperspectral (multiple, narrow band) satellite imaging provides a useful discovery and analytical tool for archaeologists. The Hyperion instrument, flying on the Earth Observer 1 (EO-1) satellite, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 21, 2000. Hyperion provides 242 (196 calibrated) narrow bands in the visible (VIS) to shortwave infrared range (SWIR), enabling detailed archaeological and geological analyses. We analyzed a Hyperion image swath targeted on Khirbat en-Nahas (KEN), an ancient copper smelting site along the Wadi al-Ghuwayb (WAG) in Jordan’s Faynan district, where extensive ore processing occurred from the third millennium B.C.E. to industrial scale production over several centuries in the early first millennium B.C.E. (Iron Age) and continued until Medieval Islamic times. We use a combination of Principal Components Analysis (PCA), similarity matrices, and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) to locate additional ore processing sites and discern depositional differences that may help illuminate issues related to the organization of production at KEN. Extensive field surveys in the research area provide a unique opportunity to “ground truth” the results of the hyperspectral research. Our results show considerable promise for future work with Hyperion
Recent excavations in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic-p... more Recent excavations in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic-period copper-smelting site known in the eastern side of the valley, which extends south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Five test pits were excavated in 2012 at Khirbat al–Mana‘iyya, a prominent copper-smelting camp in south-eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan. The results of these excavations demonstrate that the site was primarily active in the seventh–ninth century AD. Its distance from the copper sources of south-west ‘Araba suggests that its location was chosen based on proximity to wood and water resources, rather than copper ore deposits. The discovery that the site dates to the early Islamic period has implications for previous and future work in south-east ‘Araba. In particular, it challenges the common—until now—view of the region as virtually devoid of settlement during this period.
Cutting-edge photogrammetric techniques combined with traditional methods are a boon for archaeol... more 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 e 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.
This article provides a critical review of the archaeological, geological and historical evidence... more This article provides a critical review of the archaeological, geological and historical evidence concerning the southern Levantine earthquake of 418/419 AD, specifically its effects on Petra. Historical accounts indicate that the earthquake caused destruction in Jerusalem and elsewhere, but archaeological evidence is sparse. Numerous destruction layers at sites in the Galilee were attributed to the 418/419 earthquake, but these attributions have all been questioned due to the presence of material in these layers post-dating the early 5th century AD. To the south, the attribution of the destruction of the Spätrömisch II phase at al-Zantur, in Petra, to this earthquake has largely been accepted. This paper reviews the published evidence and determines that this, too, has been dated too early. Based on this evidence, I suggest that the destruction of al-Zantur Spätrömisch II occurred in the 6th century and argue that the 418/419 earthquake was a relatively minor event, primarily affecting the Jerusalem region. This has bearing on the dating of diagnostic artifact types found in this phase, notably the Negev wheel-made lamp, which I argue should be considered a reliable indicator of dates in the 6th–7th century AD. This, in turn, has implications for the dating of other sites, notably the Petra Church.
Describes preliminary soundings at Khirbat Faynan, adjacent agricultural field systems (Iron Age)... more Describes preliminary soundings at Khirbat Faynan, adjacent agricultural field systems (Iron Age), Survey in the Buwayridah springs, sounds at Khirbat Nuqayb al-Asaymir middle Islamic copper production site, small sounding at Khirbat Hamra Idan (Early Bronze Age) copper manufactory, Portable XRF field studies, Terrestrial Laser Scanning,
New Insights into the Iron Age Archaeology of Edom, Southern Jordan: Surveys, Excavations and Research from the Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project (ELRAP), Volume 2 (Thomas E. Levy, Mohammad Najjar, and Erez Ben-Yosef, eds.), 2014
Cyber-Archaeology and Grand Narratives: Digital Technology and Deep-Time Perspectives on Culture Change in the Middle East (Thomas E. Levy and Ian W. N. Jones, eds.), 2018
In the past two decades, rapid advances have been made in the application of digital technology t... more In the past two decades, rapid advances have been made in the application of digital technology to archaeology, which have led to the creation of the field of cyber-archaeology. Much of the work in this field, however, has focused on the technical aspects of applying specific technologies to archaeological field and laboratory work. As cyber-archaeology matures, however, it is necessary to consider how these novel methods can contribute to the development of archaeological theory. The chapters in this volume do this by examining potential contributions of cyber-archaeology to “grand narratives” of human history.
This introductory chapter sets the stage for the chapters that follow. It opens with a description of recent advances in cyber-archaeology—defined, in the context of this volume, as “the integration of the latest developments in computer science, engineering, science, and archaeology” (following Levy 2013: 28)—as well as problems that remain to be solved. One lingering problem is the difficulty of bringing disparate datasets together into digital databases, and this is explored using an example from the Digital Archaeological Atlas of the Holy Land (DAAHL). This limitation suggests that while cyber-archaeology is not applicable to some archaeological questions, it is particularly well suited to questions concerning long-term change, or “grand narratives.” Following this example is a theoretical introduction to grand narratives in archaeological theory. While long-term change fell out of fashion several decades ago, it has returned to the theoretical forefront, particularly in Mediterranean archaeology. The chapter ends with a brief introduction to each of the chapters in the volume.
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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 e 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.
This introductory chapter sets the stage for the chapters that follow. It opens with a description of recent advances in cyber-archaeology—defined, in the context of this volume, as “the integration of the latest developments in computer science, engineering, science, and archaeology” (following Levy 2013: 28)—as well as problems that remain to be solved. One lingering problem is the difficulty of bringing disparate datasets together into digital databases, and this is explored using an example from the Digital Archaeological Atlas of the Holy Land (DAAHL). This limitation suggests that while cyber-archaeology is not applicable to some archaeological questions, it is particularly well suited to questions concerning long-term change, or “grand narratives.” Following this example is a theoretical introduction to grand narratives in archaeological theory. While long-term change fell out of fashion several decades ago, it has returned to the theoretical forefront, particularly in Mediterranean archaeology. The chapter ends with a brief introduction to each of the chapters in the volume.
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 e 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.
This introductory chapter sets the stage for the chapters that follow. It opens with a description of recent advances in cyber-archaeology—defined, in the context of this volume, as “the integration of the latest developments in computer science, engineering, science, and archaeology” (following Levy 2013: 28)—as well as problems that remain to be solved. One lingering problem is the difficulty of bringing disparate datasets together into digital databases, and this is explored using an example from the Digital Archaeological Atlas of the Holy Land (DAAHL). This limitation suggests that while cyber-archaeology is not applicable to some archaeological questions, it is particularly well suited to questions concerning long-term change, or “grand narratives.” Following this example is a theoretical introduction to grand narratives in archaeological theory. While long-term change fell out of fashion several decades ago, it has returned to the theoretical forefront, particularly in Mediterranean archaeology. The chapter ends with a brief introduction to each of the chapters in the volume.