Working in Jordan

[Magpie]

I am considering spending 2 weeks working on an archaeological project in Jordan, in November this year.

Have any of you BAJR Bods first hand experience of working in that country and can tell me what conditions are like ?
Also it would be useful to check what questions I should be asking the organsisers about accomodation ,travel, work etc. Is there anything else I shouls be forwarned about when working in Jordan ?

I am sure someone in BAJR land can advise me


Magpie

[beamo]

Hi Magpie

I spent several years on and off in Jordan in the 1980s - 90s.
It is a fantastic country and you should certainly take the opportunity to visit - great archaeology, great places to visit and above all great people.

Depending on which bit of the country you are in, November could be warm/cold/dry/wet etc. Certianly can be below freezing at night in the eastern deserts, but still warmish in the Jordan Valley.

Accommodation - surely provided by whoever is running the project. If you need a base in Amman there is the Council for British Research in the Levant (www.cbrl.org.uk). CBRL can also advise on current fieldwork projects within Jordan.

Travel - no problem - planty of choice for flights into the country, can get around by bus / taxi very easily.


Beamo

[troll]

May I suggest that you e-mail another of our subcribers-sniper- been lucky enough to rough it in the desert there!:D

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[BAJR Host]

Spent many many happy times in Jordan... last time at Jerash.... I love the country I jsut love it...

Beamo is right about talking to the CBRL...

what project are you on?

Another day another WSI…

[Magpie]

Thanks BAJR Bods for the top tips and your views about Jordan. You do make it sound like a great place for doing archaeology.

[8D]

[Magpie]

I now have more details about where I am going. I will be working in the south of Jordan, in the area around Ma'an , to the north of Aqaba. Anyone else worked in this area? What will the weather be like in late November ?

Magpie

[beamo]

Maggie

Weather will be OK - not particularly hot, possibly some rain around in late November.

Ma'an is not too great, but it is a good base for accessing lots of good sites as it is on the King's Highway (main north/south route through Jordan.

Aqaba is definitely worth a visit, with some decent remains of the old castle, but is getting very touristy.

You will be able to get to Petra fairly easily, also check out Wadi Rum, Shobak and Kerak crusader castles, and the Roman site at Lejun.


Beamo

[BAJR Host]

Pop into the Eco Village as well - Taybet Zaman

http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1135

lovelery place.

Also higher up towards Madaba is the site of Khirbet Iskander (happy days... ) now overgrown it is a Bronze Age city... but you kind of have to know its there... lovely place for a picnic... green blue water and wadi!



"Archaeology is the search for fact. Not truth."
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

[BAJR Host]

Pop into the Eco Village as well - Taybet Zaman

http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1135

lovelery place.

Also higher up towards Madaba is the site of Khirbet Iskander (happy days... ) now overgrown it is a Bronze Age city... but you kind of have to know its there... lovely place for a picnic... green blue water and wadi!



"Archaeology is the search for fact. Not truth."
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

[beamo]

Nice one Mr Hosty

I held my wedding reception at Teybet Zaman after getting married in Amman - all the guests stayed there for a few nights.

First time most of them had had a giant donor kebab served at the wedding feast, followed by blue ice-cream with sparklers in.


Beamo

[BAJR Host]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm nice one yerself.... what a place to have a wedding !

fabstastic!

"Archaeology is the search for fact. Not truth."
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

[Magpie]

Thanks for the info guys..... I can't wait to get there.


Magpie

[Penfold]

Magpie
You are a lucky guy mate. My wife and I had a great stay over there visiting all the major sites. Jerash and Petra both blew me away. I also enjoyed Amman but not sure what its like now in light of current events, probably wise to play it safe. But whatever you do dont forget to have a dip in the Dead Sea, while its still there:(


Vive La Revolution

Penfold

[Magpie]

Hey BAJR Bods

I have now been there and seen some of Jordan for myself. You were right. What a fantastic place. Petra is stunning , Wadi Rum mindblowing and the rest of the archaeology just fantastic. Did lots of interesting survey work and had a ball... I can't wait to get back.

Magpie

[BAJR Host]

once seen you will always have to return...

I can't keep away from Jordan... My fave country... a place to know who and why you are.. back soon I hope to Jerash..

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[beamo]

Hi Magpie

Glad to hear that you had a great time in Jordan - I would echo Mr Hosty's views - excellent country - if I get married again I would do it there for a second time (but don't tell the missus that I said this).

Next time try to cram in a trip to Syria - equally mind-boggling archaeology and fantastic people - easy bus journey from Amman to Damascus.


Beamo