Arabia Petraea

The Petra 'Great Temple'
Brown University professor Martha S. Joukowsky is at present directing the archaeological excavations of the Temple at Petra, Jordan. Although the excavation is funded by Brown University as part of its programs in Anthropology and in Old World Archaeology and Art, it is also an international and interdisciplinary project, with the active involvement of the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) located in Amman, and the Department of Antiquities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The Pool-Complex at Petra (Petra 'Lower Market' Survey, 1998) Preliminary Report by Leigh-Ann Bedal Anthropology Department, University of Pennsylvania
"Despite decades of excavation in and around Petra, archaeologists continue to grapple with the issues of chronological development and the organization of the city as a center of political and economic importance. Contributing to the incomplete nature of our understanding of Petra is the fact that significant pieces of the puzzle have managed to elude archaeological investigation. One of these is a large, open area located in the center of the city, south of and overlooking the colonnaded street, amidst the temples and other civic structures at the heart of Petra's city center (fig. 1).

Petra
"Petra was first established sometime around the 6th century BC, by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area and laid the foundations of a commercial empire that extended into Syria. Includes an Interactive map and tour.

PETRA
"The jewel of South Jordan is Petra, the unique, 2,000-year-old rock-carved city, the pink and salmon coloured capital of the Nabataean Arabs. Petra is always breath-taking, never to be forgotten. It flourished for over 400 years around the time of Rome and Christ, until it was occupied by the Roman legions of the emperor Trajan in 106 A.D." Courtesy of Focus Multimedia Magazine Online.

Chrys's Gallery of the Free-Standing Petra Monuments.
By Chrysanthos Kanellopoulos, Ph. D. American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR).

American Expedition to Petra: Temple of the Winged Lions
"he American Expedition to Petra (AEP) is pleased to announce its 20th season of research and excavation of the "Temple of the Winged Lions" and the adjacent area in Petra's ancient city center. Archaeological periods include the Nabataean and Later Roman (Byzantine) periods, dating from the 1st century A.D. to the 6th century A.D."

Petra - Myth and reality
Written by Philip C. Hammond, Photographed by Vivian Ronay (From the Aramco World Magazine, September-October 1991)

Photos of Jordan-Petra: the main sights
These are "thumbnail" pictures. Click on them to open a larger version. All photos copyright the Jordan Tourist Board unless otherwise stated

The ancient city of Petra
"Two thousand years ago, an ancient city called Petra thrived deep in the desert of Jordan. This city was the capital of the powerful Nabataean kingdom." Child friendly site created by the American Museum of Natural History.

The American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) Petra Scroll Update
"The Petra scrolls were found in 1992, have been translated and are now being researched and worked to determine the real meanings of the works and also to expand the knowledge of the Byzantine Petra lifestyle in the sixth century. These scrolls were carbonized (partially burned) and many were found intact with major portions of the text relatively clear."

The Mysterious Nabateans
Excerpted from a History of Jordan on the official Jordanian government's site.

Parallel Maritime Histories (Greece, Egypt, India, South Yemen, China, Rome)
Text copyright 2002 Canbooks Picture copyright held by their respective owner. "A number of things made the Nabataeans distinctive from other tribes in Arabia. One of them was their ability as seamen. Where did they learn their seamanship? It may have been in the marshlands of southern Iraq where water transport was easier than land transport. Or it may have been that after repeated conflict with Sennacherib of Assyria, they moved south into Arabia, and developed skills as seamen while they lived on the coasts and in the ports of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Perhaps it was during this time that they visited the ports of Persia and adopted the many Zoroastrian customs that are attributed to them."

Report on the Humayma Excavation Report for 2002.

The Humayma Project.
"Ancient Hawara, modern Humayma, was a small but significant community in the Hisma desert of southern Jordan". Summary of recent archaeological excavations at the site by Dr. Barbara M. Reeves of Queen's University.

Abila of the Decapolis, Jordan.
"The American Expedition to Abila of the Decapolis began field work with a systematic survey of the site during 1980. Excavation and a regional survey program began during 1982. Intensive excavation seasons are held each even numbered year with odd numbered years used for study seasons and more limited testing. The field work at Abila has been directed from 1980 to the present by Dr. Harold Mare of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Sporadic work on the painted Roman Period tombs has been conducted by French archaeologists.

Abila of the Decapolis Archaeological Excavation.
"Due to Abila's rich history as one of the cities of the Hellenistic league known as Decapolis, it brings joy and excitement to present my archaeological experience at one of the most dynamic sites of the Yarmuk River Valley System, and indeed of northern Jordan. I hope you enjoy your visit."Ahlan Wasahlan by Kevin Morrow.

Excavations at Abila of the Decapolis, Northern Jordan
"Abila (Quailibah, the modern name) in northern Jordan, just east of the southern end of the Sea of Galilee, is located about 13 kilometers north and slightly northeast of the modern city of Irbid." By W. Harold Mare, Ph.D. Director, Abila Excavations

Ancient Accounts of Arabia, 430 BCE - 550 CE
From Herodotus: The Histories, Book III, c. 430 BCE, Strabo: Geography, c. 22 CE, Dio Cassius: History of Rome, c. 220 CE, Ammianus Marcellinus: The Roman History, c. 380 CE, Procopius of Caesarea: History of the Wars, c. 550 CE. Courtesy of the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook.

Roman Roads East of the Jordan by David F. Graf
"The Madaba Mosaic Map is a jewel without a crown. For all of Byzantium's reputation for other matters, its contribution to the science of cartography is dismal at best (cf. Dilke 1987: 258). The brilliant exception is the Madaba cartographic representation of the Holy Land. Unfortunately,everything north and south of the region of Charachmoba (modern Kerak) is missing. The purpose of this study is a hypothetical reconstruction of those missing areas of Transjordan."

Roman Aqaba Project, Jordan. DR. S. Thomas Parker
"The project's principal goal is to reconstruct the economy of the Roman port of Aila, now within the modern city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. The project focuses on Aila's economy in the broader context of the economy of the Roman Empire from the first century BC through seventh centuries AD. The research design includes 1) a regional archaeological and environmental survey of the environs of Aila, 2) excavation of selected areas of the ancient city to examine its economy and history, and 3) analysis of artifacts and other material relevant to the regional economy. The research is revealing the nature of the urban economy, Aila's role in international trade between the Roman Empire and its eastern neighbors, the impact of the regional environment on the urban economy, and how human activity.

The Roman Forts on the Arabian Frontier: The Meaning of the Limes Arabicus  An excellent survey of the subject, includes photos and maps. Courtesy of the Virtual Karak Resources Project. © Copyright 2001-2002 Virtual Karak Resources Project and Appalachian College Association.

El-Lejjun Roman Legionary fortress, Jordan: A recently declassified CORONA image shows the fortress in plan view.  An excellent survey of the subject, includes photos and maps. Courtesy of the Virtual Karak Resources Project. © Copyright 2001-2002 Virtual Karak Resources Project and Appalachian College Association.

Virtual Tour of Jerash
"Those interested in history and archaeology will be delighted by a visit to Jordan. Over the centuries this region has seen the rise and fall of many world powers."

Photos of Jordan-Jerash: the main sights
These are "thumbnail" pictures. Click on them to open a larger version. All photos copyright the Jordan Tourist Board unless otherwise stated

Jerash Chariots Live
"Jerash is the only place in the world where Roman army units and chariots will be seen in action in a genuine Roman setting. It is truly a unique experience"

Ancient Coins of Arabia
Excerpted from Digital Historia Numerorum: A Manual of Greek Numismatics

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