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20 years of research take historical Jordanian sites to Italy

Italians in the city of Florence are getting a glimpse of some of Jordan's historic marvels at an exhibition of archaeological finds from the area between Petra and Shobak, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

"From Petra to Shawbak: Archaeology of a Frontier," the exhibition tells the story of the 'eastern frontier' from the ancient period of the Limes Arabicus to the Crusader-Ayyubi and Mamluk times, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported in the Jordan Times newspaper.

The exhibition, which opened last month and runs till October 11, offers a historical frame of a part of Jordan that was an important crossroads of trading caravans of Euro-Mediterranean cultures. It is a result of more than 20 years of research carried out by the archaeological mission of the University of Florence under the direction of Professor Guido Vannini, the statement said.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha Khatib described the exhibition as a unique opportunity to present the history of Petra and Shobak during the Roman-Byzantine era, the Middle Ages, and the early Islamic period.

She said it "will help its visitors understand the nature of the people and the culture of this important crossing point between East and West," adding that taking archaeological artifacts to the audience in Italy will greatly contribute to promoting Jordan and its priceless treasures and create an increasing desire among a wide cross-section of Italians to visit the Kingdom and appreciate its countless marvels.

The newspaper said the research and excavation started from an archaeological survey aimed at studying the modalities of the Crusader settlement in Jordan and covering the area from Syria to the Red Sea and southern Jordan. In this way, it was for the first time understood that the Petra Valley was the centre for a complex territorial system, the statement said.

Archaeologists at the University of Florence have said their work in the Petra and Shobak areas has enabled them to understand the importance of the two sites and the history of the region between the Dead Sea and Red Sea in the Ayyubid and early Mamluk periods. They described the location as "one of the most important historical areas in the world."

The newspaper says the exhibition comprises three sections focusing on Shobak Castle, and the diverse features of the Petra-Shobak frontier from the ancient time to the Crusader-Ayyubi and Mamluk epochs. Its components are displayed for the first time with interactive dialogue, and are characterized by a special tactile experience to enable visually disabled persons to have full accessibility to the event.

A film festival is being held on the sidelines of the exhibition, as well as a workshop dedicated to the policies and communication of archaeology.

Jordan's Ambassador to Italy, HRH Princess Wijdan, Khatib and Department of Antiquities Director General Fawwaz Khraysheh attended the opening of the exhibition, which was made possible by support from the Tourism Ministry and the Italian embassy in Amman.

The choice of Florence as location for the event came in recognition of its historical value in terms of its links to the region and what it represents to Italian archaeology and arts.

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TAGS: Italy Jordan Florence archaeological finds Petra and Shobak Euro-Mediterranean cultures exhibition

[08/04/2009]

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