Ancient water engineering: A field course exploring abandoned green technologies in Jordan
The Center for the Study of Natural and Cultural Heritage
German Jordanian University
Amman, Jordan
Introduction: Since the inception of agriculture, the peoples living the area that is now called Jordan have managed a difficult and fragile environment. Holocene climate has not changed significantly, but the region has been continuously inhabited and farmed throughout the last 10,000 years, without the benefits of desalination or pumping technologies.
It is interesting to know that the oldest water management systems are in Jordan, and the people of the area managed ground water, surface water and soils in progressively more sophisticated manners as the needs for water have increased.
This field course will introduce participants to the geography and hydrology of Jordan, and the opportunities and the limitations that it presents. In addition, ancient water management approached from a variety of situations and needs will be visited.
The two-week course will cover the important physiographical, hydrological and historical components as follows:
|
Location |
Physiography |
Hydrology |
History |
Duration |
|
Jawa |
Badia |
Runoff collection |
Bronze |
2 days |
|
Burqu’ |
Islamic |
|||
|
Petra/Wadi Hramieh |
Rift margin |
Flood control |
Nabatean |
5 days |
|
Petra proper |
Water collection and distribution |
|||
|
Wadi Musa |
Water distribution |
Ottoman
|
||
|
Hummaima |
Early Islamic |
|||
|
Mansoura |
Ottoman |
|||
|
Um Um Irtami and Bir Mathkour |
Rift Valley |
Runoff collection and agriculture |
Roman |
1 day |
|
Um al Rassas |
Western highland |
Water collection and distribution |
Byzantine |
2 days |
|
Um al Walid |
|
|
Early Islamic |
|
|
Mount Nebo |
|
|
Byzantine |
Tentative time: August/September 2021
Cost: 150€
** Limited availability
For more information: nizar.abujaber@gju.edu.jo