Archaeological and anthropological sciences, Feb 21, 2024
A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as &#39... more A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as 'Rubble layers' at the Neolithic site 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan. The aim of this study was to provide new knowledge about the layers, and their deposition, using luminescence dating. Luminescence ages suggests that the rubble layers were deposited in two distinct episodes, the first around 8.2-8.5 ka ago during the Yarmoukian period, and the second during Chalcolithic period around 6.6-7.4 ka ago. The earlier episode is contemporaneous with records of episodic torrential rainfall during an arid period between 8.6 and 8.0 ka ago, supporting the hypothesis of deposition by natural causes such as flash floods.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Feb 1, 1986
... It is about 180.0 mm in diameter. Figure 3:b, a deep bowl, has a simple rim and is hand-forme... more ... It is about 180.0 mm in diameter. Figure 3:b, a deep bowl, has a simple rim and is hand-formed. It is very thick (20.23 mm to 10.21 mm). ... In Lebanon white ware has been found at Tell Neb'a Faour (Copeland 1969: 90), Saayideh (Hours 1969: 36), Labweh II-III (Kirkbride 1969: ...
Deux campagnes de fouille a Jebel Abu Thawwab (Jordanie) ont mis en evidence deux types de struct... more Deux campagnes de fouille a Jebel Abu Thawwab (Jordanie) ont mis en evidence deux types de structures de la periode Neolithique tardive (Yarmukien) : maisons rectangulaires et structures circulaires construites en pierre.
The archaeological field work conducted in the Golan Heights proves that the region was densely o... more The archaeological field work conducted in the Golan Heights proves that the region was densely occupied during the Chalcolithic period (Late 5th and Early 4th millennia BC). Some of the archaeological materials from excavations and surveys show similarities with others excavated in the surrounding areas. This presentation will discuss Chalcolithic architecture, flint industries, pottery vessels, and basalt stands and vessels. In addition, economic and ritual aspects will be discussed.
The Yarmoukian Culture of Jordan represents a local development of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic peri... more The Yarmoukian Culture of Jordan represents a local development of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic periods. Villages or farmsteads belonging to it were first excavated during the first half of the eighties of this century in Jordan. This culture represents one of the Pottery Neolithic traditions (Yarmoukian, PNA, Ghrubba, Wadi Rabah and PNB) that flourished between ca. 5 500-4,000 B.C. in the Southern Levant. It has been remarked that Yarmoukian sites were mostly concentrated to the north of the Dead Sea and located either in the Jordan Valley or in the mountainous ranges areas. The Yarmoukian's subsistence strategy is based on combining farming and herding.
Zeichenlandschaften : Religiöse Semiotisierungen im interdisziplinären Diskurs
Ob »spatial« oder »topographical turn« – »Raum« erfreut sich in den Geistes- und Kulturwissenscha... more Ob »spatial« oder »topographical turn« – »Raum« erfreut sich in den Geistes- und Kulturwissenschaften gegenwärtig hoher Aufmerksamkeit. Er wird als »Semiosphäre« der Einschreibung wahrgenommen – auch und gerade in Bezug auf religiöse Bedeutungen. Die Beiträge im Sammelband widmen sich aus theologischer und philosophischer Perspektive, aber auch in interdisziplinärer Hinsicht Raumkonstellationen religiöser Semiosen – unter anderem der theologisch produktiven topologischen Repräsentation des Unräumlichen. Indem die Beiträge exegetische, systematische und praktische Disziplinen christlicher und jüdischer Theologie mit der Archäologie, der Philosophie und der Soziologie ins Gespräch bringen, setzen sie die Reflexion des Raumes in mehrfache Richtung in Bewegung: Sie legen »Zugänge« zu Glaubens- und Lebensräumen offen oder verfolgen »Grenzgänge«, auf denen Theologinnen und Theologen die Unsagbarkeit Gottes bzw. des Göttlichen erkunden. Und sie zeichnen die »Ausgänge« der spezifischen Urba...
The Neolithic site of eh-Sayyeh located ca. 25 km northeast of Amman is a unique settlement which... more The Neolithic site of eh-Sayyeh located ca. 25 km northeast of Amman is a unique settlement which allows the study of various questions on the transition from the Early to the Late Neolithic period at the end of the 8th / beginning of the 7th millennium BC. This includes, among other issues, the aspect of settlement size in the different Neolithic phases. So far, the excavations exposed some extraordinary architectural forms, of which parallels are only known from sites in the eastern desert at a distance of ca. 200 km. These results raise questions of the nature and extent of cultural contacts between the two regions.
Archaeological and anthropological sciences, Feb 21, 2024
A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as &#39... more A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as 'Rubble layers' at the Neolithic site 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan. The aim of this study was to provide new knowledge about the layers, and their deposition, using luminescence dating. Luminescence ages suggests that the rubble layers were deposited in two distinct episodes, the first around 8.2-8.5 ka ago during the Yarmoukian period, and the second during Chalcolithic period around 6.6-7.4 ka ago. The earlier episode is contemporaneous with records of episodic torrential rainfall during an arid period between 8.6 and 8.0 ka ago, supporting the hypothesis of deposition by natural causes such as flash floods.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Feb 1, 1986
... It is about 180.0 mm in diameter. Figure 3:b, a deep bowl, has a simple rim and is hand-forme... more ... It is about 180.0 mm in diameter. Figure 3:b, a deep bowl, has a simple rim and is hand-formed. It is very thick (20.23 mm to 10.21 mm). ... In Lebanon white ware has been found at Tell Neb'a Faour (Copeland 1969: 90), Saayideh (Hours 1969: 36), Labweh II-III (Kirkbride 1969: ...
Deux campagnes de fouille a Jebel Abu Thawwab (Jordanie) ont mis en evidence deux types de struct... more Deux campagnes de fouille a Jebel Abu Thawwab (Jordanie) ont mis en evidence deux types de structures de la periode Neolithique tardive (Yarmukien) : maisons rectangulaires et structures circulaires construites en pierre.
The archaeological field work conducted in the Golan Heights proves that the region was densely o... more The archaeological field work conducted in the Golan Heights proves that the region was densely occupied during the Chalcolithic period (Late 5th and Early 4th millennia BC). Some of the archaeological materials from excavations and surveys show similarities with others excavated in the surrounding areas. This presentation will discuss Chalcolithic architecture, flint industries, pottery vessels, and basalt stands and vessels. In addition, economic and ritual aspects will be discussed.
The Yarmoukian Culture of Jordan represents a local development of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic peri... more The Yarmoukian Culture of Jordan represents a local development of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic periods. Villages or farmsteads belonging to it were first excavated during the first half of the eighties of this century in Jordan. This culture represents one of the Pottery Neolithic traditions (Yarmoukian, PNA, Ghrubba, Wadi Rabah and PNB) that flourished between ca. 5 500-4,000 B.C. in the Southern Levant. It has been remarked that Yarmoukian sites were mostly concentrated to the north of the Dead Sea and located either in the Jordan Valley or in the mountainous ranges areas. The Yarmoukian's subsistence strategy is based on combining farming and herding.
Zeichenlandschaften : Religiöse Semiotisierungen im interdisziplinären Diskurs
Ob »spatial« oder »topographical turn« – »Raum« erfreut sich in den Geistes- und Kulturwissenscha... more Ob »spatial« oder »topographical turn« – »Raum« erfreut sich in den Geistes- und Kulturwissenschaften gegenwärtig hoher Aufmerksamkeit. Er wird als »Semiosphäre« der Einschreibung wahrgenommen – auch und gerade in Bezug auf religiöse Bedeutungen. Die Beiträge im Sammelband widmen sich aus theologischer und philosophischer Perspektive, aber auch in interdisziplinärer Hinsicht Raumkonstellationen religiöser Semiosen – unter anderem der theologisch produktiven topologischen Repräsentation des Unräumlichen. Indem die Beiträge exegetische, systematische und praktische Disziplinen christlicher und jüdischer Theologie mit der Archäologie, der Philosophie und der Soziologie ins Gespräch bringen, setzen sie die Reflexion des Raumes in mehrfache Richtung in Bewegung: Sie legen »Zugänge« zu Glaubens- und Lebensräumen offen oder verfolgen »Grenzgänge«, auf denen Theologinnen und Theologen die Unsagbarkeit Gottes bzw. des Göttlichen erkunden. Und sie zeichnen die »Ausgänge« der spezifischen Urba...
The Neolithic site of eh-Sayyeh located ca. 25 km northeast of Amman is a unique settlement which... more The Neolithic site of eh-Sayyeh located ca. 25 km northeast of Amman is a unique settlement which allows the study of various questions on the transition from the Early to the Late Neolithic period at the end of the 8th / beginning of the 7th millennium BC. This includes, among other issues, the aspect of settlement size in the different Neolithic phases. So far, the excavations exposed some extraordinary architectural forms, of which parallels are only known from sites in the eastern desert at a distance of ca. 200 km. These results raise questions of the nature and extent of cultural contacts between the two regions.
It has been noticed that prehistoric research in Jordan has
been rapidly increasing during the la... more It has been noticed that prehistoric research in Jordan has been rapidly increasing during the last thirty years. The large number of results of archaeological survey, sounding site and regional field projects reflect this. The results of these activities are published in preliminary or final reports. During the past 20 years several major publications devoted only to the discussion of the prehistory of Jordan have been published.1 In addition a large number of PhD and MA theses discussing major aspects of the prehistory of Jordan have been submitted to many national and international institutions. Comprehensive studies directed towards understanding the prehistory of Jordan started only during the second half of the 1970 s of the twentieth century. However, a survey of the prehistoric research in Jordan reveals a marked increase in the number of projects over the last decades. They are widely distributed and represent time frames ranging from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Chalcolithic. Unfortunately, only a few of these projects have reached final publications, while many are still underway. However, the published preliminary results may assist researchers in understanding the differences in the settlement patterns through all the prehistoric periods, and from one region to another in Jordan. This presentation will concentrate only on studying the prehistory of the fringes of central Jordan
A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as 'Rubble ... more A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as 'Rubble layers' at the Neolithic site 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan. The aim of this study was to provide new knowledge about the layers, and their deposition, using luminescence dating. Luminescence ages suggests that the rubble layers were deposited in two distinct episodes, the first around 8.2-8.5 ka ago during the Yarmoukian period, and the second during Chalcolithic period around 6.6-7.4 ka ago. The earlier episode is contemporaneous with records of episodic torrential rainfall during an arid period between 8.6 and 8.0 ka ago, supporting the hypothesis of deposition by natural causes such as flash floods.
Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, 2023
The ninth excavation season at Tall Dāmiyah took place from the 29 th of September until the 31 s... more The ninth excavation season at Tall Dāmiyah took place from the 29 th of September until the 31 st of October, 2019. It was a joint project between the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, represented by Lucas Petit, and the Yarmouk University, represented by Zeidan Kafafi. Work was carried out in 5 squares on the summit of the tall. The main goal was to study the late 8 th and 7 th century BC levels and to relate the findings to other Iron Age sites in the vicinity. During the 2019 season adjacent rooms of the sanctuary were excavated resulting in the discovery of the main storage area of the complex. The team encountered numerous restorable vessels that were used to store mainly organic material such as barley and wheat. In the most northern squares late Iron Age layers were investigated, suggesting that after the destructive conflagration in the early 7 th century BC, people remained at the site. During the 2019 season also some Persian-Hellenistic silos and Byzantine and Ottoman period graves were investigated.
Studies on the History and Archaeology of Jordan, 2009
l Dayr ‘Allå1 stands in the base of the long northsouth Rift Valley, in a part which is called G... more l Dayr ‘Allå1 stands in the base of the long northsouth Rift Valley, in a part which is called Ghawr Abø ‘Ubaydah. Here, the valley floor is in general 4 to 5km. wide, i.e. extending from the Jordan River bed (zor) to the slopes of the eastern mountains. The surrounding landscape has good agricultural soil in most places and the extremely variable, but generally limited, rainfall (av. 260mm. at the site) can be supplemented with irrigation water supplied from the az-Zarqå’ River. The Jordan Valley is very suitable for winter grazing, largely because of its mild temperatures during that season. The excavations conducted at Tall Dayr ‘Allå in 1994 and 1996 exposed evidence concerning the south-western limits of the final Late Bronze Age (LB) settlement, including an extra-mural metalworking area and commercial storage facilities, and yielded data associated with preceding LB phases.
Annual of the DEpartment of Antiquities of Jordan 61, 2022
The ninth excavation season at Tall
Dāmiyah took place from the 29th of September
until the 31s... more The ninth excavation season at Tall Dāmiyah took place from the 29th of September until the 31st of October, 2019. It was a joint project between the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, represented by Lucas Petit, and the Yarmouk University, represented by Zeidan Kafafi. Work was carried out in 5 squares on the summit of the tall. The main goal was to study the late 8th and 7th century BC levels and to relate the findings to other Iron Age sites in the vicinity. During the 2019 season adjacent rooms of the sanctuary were excavated resulting in the discovery of the main storage area of the complex. The team encountered numerous restorable vessels that were used to store mainly organic material such as barley and wheat. In the most northern squares late Iron Age layers were investigated, suggesting that after the destructive conflagration in the early 7th century BC, people remained at the site. During the 2019 season also some Persian‑Hellenistic silos and Byzantine and Ottoman period graves were investigated
The project Recycling the Valley was initiated by the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in 201... more The project Recycling the Valley was initiated by the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in 2012, in order to understand the varied diachronic use of sites in the Central Jordan Valley and the Jordanian Plateau during the Iron Age (see for a lengthy discussion of the project, Petit 2013). The project became a joint venture in 2014 with the Yarmouk University. Whereas excavated sites like Tall Dayr ‘Allā, Tall al-Mazār and Tall as-Sa’idiyeh reveal discontinuing occupation histories (e.g., Yassine et al. 1988; Van der Kooij 2001; Petit 2009a, and references therein), Tall Dāmiyah was settled almost continuously during the Iron Age II period (Petit et al. 2006; Petit 2008; Petit 2009a: 103-49). This asked for an explanation and archaeological investigations at Tall Dāmiyah were carried out in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
In this study, we investigate quartz-based luminescence optical dating of Iron Age deposits at th... more In this study, we investigate quartz-based luminescence optical dating of Iron Age deposits at the archaeological site of Tell Damiyah in the Jordan valley. Ten samples, taken from different occupation layers from two different excavation areas, proved to have good luminescence characteristics (fast-component dominated, dose recovery ratio 1.032 ± 0.010, n=24). The optical ages are completely consistent with both available 14 C ages and ages based on stylistic elements; it appears that this material was fully reset at deposition, although it is recognised that the agreement with age control is somewhat dependent on the assumed field water content of the samples. Further comparison with different OSL signals from feldspar, or investigations based on dose distributions from individual grains would be desirable to independently confirm the resetting of this material. It is concluded that the sediments of Tell Damiyah are very suitable for luminescence dating. Despite the relatively large associated age uncertainties of between 5 and 10%, OSL at tell sites has the potential to provide ages for material very difficult to date by conventional methods, and to identify reworked mixtures of older artifacts in a younger depositional setting.
Egyptian Journal of Archaeology and Restoration, 2021
Abstract:
Thousands of archaeological sites are recorded, but unfortunately
only some are excava... more Abstract: 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
During 2009 excavations, more iron production installations were discovered. In addition, an asse... more During 2009 excavations, more iron production installations were discovered. In addition, an assemblage of pottery vessels was found in association with these installations . Owing to the discrepancy between the dates obtained by the two above mentioned studies, the excavators decided that further discussion of the Iron Age II vessels recovered in 2009 may help in attributing a more precise date to the iron production workshops at Tall al-Ḥimmah. In particular, this report will focus on surface treatment, ware, firing technique and form.
As the largest Neolithic site excavated in the Near East, ‘Ain Ghazal provides a wealth of eviden... more As the largest Neolithic site excavated in the Near East, ‘Ain Ghazal provides a wealth of evidence for the spatial organization of activities from the Middle PPNB to the Yarmoukian period. Since 1982, an international team of archaeologists has conducted 12 seasons of excavations at the site. These show that the site began as a small hamlet about 8200 cal BC, then grew steadily and rapidly for some two millennia. This paper will present evidence for the domestic activities that took place in both closed and open areas, and possible implications of changes in the spatial distribution of activities for our understanding of social among ‘Ain Ghazal’s inhabitants.
In 2003 Saba Fares and Fawzi Zaydine (2001; 2004) continued
their archaeological excavations and ... more In 2003 Saba Fares and Fawzi Zaydine (2001; 2004) continued their archaeological excavations and surveys in the areas of wādī Sābiṭ and Huḍayb al-Rīḥ in the wādī Ramm region (Figure 1). The main objective of the project is to study the history of the Arabs before Islam; in other words to investigate "the Archaeology of the nomads"; by focusing on registering and studying all rock inscriptions and rock art carvings or drawings, visible in the area under study (Fares- Drappeau and Zaydine 2004: 357). Nevertheless, they have also conducted archaeological survey and sounded few sites in the area such as Huḍayb al-Rīḥ
Opgravingen door een team van het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden en de Jordaanse Yarmouk Universiteit h... more Opgravingen door een team van het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden en de Jordaanse Yarmouk Universiteit hebben nieuwe aanwijzingen aan het licht gebracht waarom de vindplaats Tell Damiyah in Jordanië in de oudheid internationale bekendheid genoot, als religieus centrum voor reizigers en handelaren.
S. Fares (ed.), Des Déserte et Des Hommes: Wādi Ramm (Jordanie). Histoire, Économie, Religieuse, Social et Environmental. Actes des colloduev international à Wādi Ramm. les 11, 12 et 13 Novembre 2011. Études anciennes 52. Nancy: A.D.R.A., 2013
In 2003 Saba Fares and Fawzi Zaydine continued their archaeological excavations and surveys in t... more In 2003 Saba Fares and Fawzi Zaydine continued their archaeological excavations and surveys in the areas of wādī Sābiṭ and Huḍayb al-Rīḥ in the wādī Ramm region . The main objective of the project is to study the history of the Arabs before Islam; in other words to investigate "the Archaeology of the nomads"; by focusing on registering and studying all rock inscriptions and rock art carvings or drawings, visible in the area under study .Nevertheless, they have also conducted archaeological survey and sounded few sites in the area such as Huḍayb al-Rīḥ Apparently, during the test excavations and the surveys, an assemblage of pottery sherds were either excavated or collected. This paper aims at presenting a study of this collection of pottery sherds. But before presenting our study of the either excavated or surveyed sherds, below is a brief study of the stratigraphical sequence as published by the excavators of some of the sounded sites.
The City in the Arab World, Beginning and Development, 2008
Abstract. This paper aims at discussing the characteristics of the Canaanite city during the Late... more Abstract. This paper aims at discussing the characteristics of the Canaanite city during the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550-1200 BC). The study of the term Canaan and the Canaanites, a historical background and the specific features of the Canaanite city are here presented. On the land of Canaan, scholars clearly disagree on specific borders; but it is understood that it includes most of the Mediterranean eastern coast and parts of the Levantine inland. The word Canaan appeared first in written documents dating to the eighteenth century BC. It is agreed that the Canaanites are known not only from the land which they inhabited, but also from the tongue they spoke (known as the Canaanite language). The characteristics of the Canaanite cities during the Late Bronze Age presented in this study are mostly deduced from the results of excavations at the sites of Tell el-Mutasallim (Megiddo) and Tell el Qedah/Tell Waqqas (Hazor). This paper presents a discussion of the type of fortifications, dwellings, temples and burials excavated at the Canaanite cities which belong to the Late Bronze Age. In addition, industry, trade and innovations are also studied. Consequently, it may be proposed that the Late Bronze Age Canaanite cities were poorly occupied, usually with a single palace, had a temple or more, contained domestic dwellings, craft installations, storage and refuse pits and Egyptian forts or residences of governors. The economy and social structure of people who lived in the Canaanite cities seemed to have been influenced by none Canaanite ethnic groups especially during the last phase of the Late Bronze Age
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Papers by Zeidan A K Kafafi
been rapidly increasing during the last thirty years. The large
number of results of archaeological survey, sounding site and
regional field projects reflect this. The results of these activities
are published in preliminary or final reports. During the
past 20 years several major publications devoted only to the
discussion of the prehistory of Jordan have been published.1
In addition a large number of PhD and MA theses discussing
major aspects of the prehistory of Jordan have been submitted
to many national and international institutions.
Comprehensive studies directed towards understanding
the prehistory of Jordan started only during the second half
of the 1970 s of the twentieth century. However, a survey of
the prehistoric research in Jordan reveals a marked increase
in the number of projects over the last decades. They are
widely distributed and represent time frames ranging from
the Lower Palaeolithic to the Chalcolithic. Unfortunately, only
a few of these projects have reached final publications, while
many are still underway. However, the published preliminary
results may assist researchers in understanding the differences
in the settlement patterns through all the prehistoric
periods, and from one region to another in Jordan. This presentation
will concentrate only on studying the prehistory of
the fringes of central Jordan
Abø ‘Ubaydah. Here, the valley floor is in general
4 to 5km. wide, i.e. extending from the Jordan River bed (zor) to the slopes of the eastern mountains.
The surrounding landscape has good agricultural
soil in most places and the extremely variable, but
generally limited, rainfall (av. 260mm. at the site)
can be supplemented with irrigation water supplied
from the az-Zarqå’ River. The Jordan Valley is very
suitable for winter grazing, largely because of its
mild temperatures during that season. The excavations conducted at Tall Dayr ‘Allå in
1994 and 1996 exposed evidence concerning the
south-western limits of the final Late Bronze Age
(LB) settlement, including an extra-mural metalworking area and commercial storage facilities, and
yielded data associated with preceding LB phases.
Dāmiyah took place from the 29th of September
until the 31st of October, 2019. It was a joint
project between the Dutch National Museum
of Antiquities, represented by Lucas Petit, and
the Yarmouk University, represented by Zeidan
Kafafi. Work was carried out in 5 squares on
the summit of the tall. The main goal was to
study the late 8th and 7th century BC levels and
to relate the findings to other Iron Age sites in
the vicinity. During the 2019 season adjacent
rooms of the sanctuary were excavated resulting
in the discovery of the main storage area of
the complex. The team encountered numerous
restorable vessels that were used to store mainly
organic material such as barley and wheat.
In the most northern squares late Iron Age
layers were investigated, suggesting that after
the destructive conflagration in the early 7th
century BC, people remained at the site. During
the 2019 season also some Persian‑Hellenistic
silos and Byzantine and Ottoman period graves
were investigated
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
in 2009 may help in attributing a more precise date to the iron production workshops at Tall al-Ḥimmah. In particular, this report will focus on surface treatment, ware, firing technique and form.
their archaeological excavations and surveys in the areas of wādī Sābiṭ
and Huḍayb al-Rīḥ in the wādī Ramm region (Figure 1). The main
objective of the project is to study the history of the Arabs before
Islam; in other words to investigate "the Archaeology of the nomads";
by focusing on registering and studying all rock inscriptions and rock
art carvings or drawings, visible in the area under study (Fares-
Drappeau and Zaydine 2004: 357). Nevertheless, they have also
conducted archaeological survey and sounded few sites in the area
such as Huḍayb al-Rīḥ
Apparently, during the test excavations and the surveys, an assemblage of pottery sherds were either excavated or collected. This paper aims at presenting a study of this collection of pottery sherds. But before presenting our study of the either excavated or surveyed sherds, below is a brief study of the stratigraphical sequence as published by the excavators of some of the sounded sites.
(ca. 1550-1200 BC). The study of the term Canaan and the Canaanites, a historical background and the
specific features of the Canaanite city are here presented. On the land of Canaan, scholars clearly disagree
on specific borders; but it is understood that it includes most of the Mediterranean eastern coast and parts of
the Levantine inland. The word Canaan appeared first in written documents dating to the eighteenth century
BC. It is agreed that the Canaanites are known not only from the land which they inhabited, but also from
the tongue they spoke (known as the Canaanite language). The characteristics of the Canaanite cities during
the Late Bronze Age presented in this study are mostly deduced from the results of excavations at the sites of
Tell el-Mutasallim (Megiddo) and Tell el Qedah/Tell Waqqas (Hazor). This paper presents a discussion of
the type of fortifications, dwellings, temples and burials excavated at the Canaanite cities which belong to
the Late Bronze Age. In addition, industry, trade and innovations are also studied. Consequently, it may be
proposed that the Late Bronze Age Canaanite cities were poorly occupied, usually with a single palace, had
a temple or more, contained domestic dwellings, craft installations, storage and refuse pits and Egyptian
forts or residences of governors. The economy and social structure of people who lived in the Canaanite
cities seemed to have been influenced by none Canaanite ethnic groups especially during the last phase of
the Late Bronze Age