THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES OF JORDAN

( DoA )  

Concise  Historical Background

The Department of Antiquities of Jordan (DoA) is the official institutional authority mandated by law to be responsible for the protection, conservation and presentation of antiquities. Any advice or consultation from other Institutions is welcomed, appreciated, respected and considered.

The first unit that took the role of a Department of Antiquities of Jordan was founded in 1924. Its main job was to supervise fieldwork, in cooperation with foreign expeditions and archaeological missions, and to implement salvage excavations and limited consolidation and preservation works. The official Department of Antiquities of Jordan was established in 1928.

The senior Jordanian official Dr. Rida Tawfeeq was then appointed as responsible for the Department in addition to his important job as one of the general secretaries of the prime minister. Many senior personnel held this position of responsibility until the year 1936 when the British archaeologist Mr Lancaster Harding was appointed as the first Inspector, then Director-General of Antiquities of Jordan. In 1956 Mr, later Dr, Abdel Kareem Al-Gharaybeh was the first Jordanian to be appointed as Director-General. Many Jordanian officials and specialists have since filled the position. 

  Legislation

The first law of Antiquities was issued in 1924, under the British Mandate, for both Palestine and Jordan.  The first Jordanian Law was enacted in 1929, then renewed in 1947, and updated many times as in 1953, 1968, 1976 and 1988 with some further amendments in 2003.  

Trading of Antiquities

1-  Trading in Antiquities was a legal practice until 1976.

2-  During that long period, many antique shops (bazaars) were licensed  by the DoA . 

3-  Shops (bazaars) had to keep register- books to document the input and output of their traded goods .

4-  Import and export were regarded as legal.

5-  The role of the DoA was limited, in this regard, to the work of checking and auditing the registers and to ensure the

      validity of the issued permits.

6-  In 1976, the law of antiquities was updated to include some essential and radical changes. One of the main changes made was to stop and prohibit the trading, exporting and importing of Antiquities.  

The Main Institutional Policy of the DoA  

1-    The principal policy of the Department of Antiquities is the protection of antiquities, preferring conservation measures that do not require physical intervention to the remains as the first choice where possible.

2-    The second policy is for the presentation of antiquities, including research, survey, excavation and site management.

Methods of Protection and Presentation  

A– Protection and Presentation of

Archaeological Sites and Monuments

1-     The first consideration of the DoA is to safeguard archaeological sites and monuments on and under the ground.

2-     About 20,000 sites of various periods of history and of different levels of importance, forms and sizes have been identified and are registered in the inventory of the DoA. This inventory is called “Jordan Archeological Data Information System” abbreviated into (JADIS).

3-     The DOA employs a huge number of site-guards, whose job is to safeguard the widely distributed sites.

4-     Once excavated and restored, sites are presented to the public and visits.

5-   The DoA is represented in the regions of Jordan by 12 major and 8 minor offices, mandated to implement all the policies of the DoA.

6-     Archaeological Parks, Reserves and Zones of Restricted Use are being established according to the requirements of cultural heritage needs using internationally recognised cultural heritage management procedures.

7-     Those who engage in illicit excavations and/or trading in antiquities are pursued as criminals, in cooperation with the Police, as well as Customs Departments and/or the Intelligence Department, and turned over to the relevant judicial courts for prosecution.

8-     Public Awareness is implemented at different levels.  

B – Presentation and Protection of

 Archaeological Artifacts

1-     Archaeological artifacts, usually deriving from legal excavations, are presented at the district museums.

2-     Confiscated artifacts are placed in the main archaeological store in Amman in order to be sorted, studied and stored until the reaching of a judicial   verdict. When the verdict is in favor of the DoA, the national artifacts are sent to local museums.

3-     Foreign artifacts, confiscated after their import into Jordan, stay at the main provisional-archaeological store until bilateral settlement and agreement is made with the country of their origin to return them home.

Commitment towards the World Interest & Requirements

1-   In 1975 (5/5/75) Jordan approved, signed and ratified the UNESCO “Convention Concerning The Protection Of The World Cultural And Natural Heritage”.

2-   In 1974 (15/3/74) Jordan ratified the UNESCO “Convention On The Means Of Prohibiting And Preventing The Illicit Import, Export And Transfer Of Ownership Of Cultural Property”. The date this came into force was 15/6/1974, as stated in the list of the 88 states parties as the October 1997.

3-   Jordan is enrolled in the UNESCO List Of State Parties which ratified “The 1954 Hague Protocol and Convention For The Protection In The Event Of Armed Conflict”.  

Archaeological Projects and Specialists in Jordan

Archaeological research and preservation is carried out in Jordan by hundreds of specialists from Jordan and from all over the world.

List of projects and the specialists responsible include:

1-    The Department of Antiquities File ­.

2-    The lists of participants of the various International Conferences Of the History and Archaeology of Jordan.

3-    Akkadica Supplementum VII, 1 & II (l986, 1989).

4-    Lists of projects from the University Departments and Institutes of Archaeology.

5-    Lists of projects from the Foreign Institutes: ACOR, IFPO, CBRL, German Protestant Institute, etc.).

Coordination & Cooperation with Other Countries in

Prohibiting Illicit Cultural Actions

1-      The DoA is grateful to the Italian Government which in 1999 stopped an illicitly imported shipment of Jordanian antiquities on the Italian mainland. They contacted the Jordanian Authorities and exchanged information. Subsequently, due to their commitment to fight such smuggling and due to good coordination between the two countries (both being signatories to the  UNESCO Conventions), the Italian Government returned the shipment to Jordan, its country of origin.

2-      In 1999 the DoA returned to Egypt a variety of illicitly imported Egyptian antiquities.

3-      In 1998, the DoA returned to Iraq, as its country of origin ,a big package (1050 artefacts) of illicitly imported Mesopotamian antiquities which were confiscated inside Jordan and on the border points .

4-      In August of 2001, the DoA handed over to the Syrian ambassador in Amman a massive marble stone head of a Palmyran statue that represented a bearded man appearing to be a monarch or of high rank. The head had been confiscated by Jordanian customs and police officials, at the Jaber land border crossing.

5-      The DoA has handed over to the Ambassador of Yemen a variety of Yemeni archaeological artifacts confiscated at Queen Alia Airport.

6-      The Jordanian Government has been actively committed, since April 2003, to the monitoring of Jordanian border crossings and ports in an attempt to stop and confiscate any Iraqi imported or exported antiquities or heritage artifacts. Many artifacts have been confiscated and safeguarded at the main provisional archaeological store to be returned in the future.

7-     Anticipating the tragedy expected to impact the Iraqi cultural heritage, including the Iraqi museums, the Jordanian Government, represented by the DoA, has been a pioneer in raising Iraqi cultural issues since March 2003. Many official Jordanian letters of warning against the expected mess and plundering of sites and museums have been circulated to international organizations, starting with UNESCO.

Cooperation and Collaboration with Other Countries

in the field of Training  

1-    The DoA has been committed to contributing in training Iraqi junior officials on any required archaeological issues, in collaboration with ACOR

         and with any other organizations.

2-    The DoA is happy to contribute to any required Iraqi cultural restoration activities .

3-    The DoA has been working in the last few decades in conducting rescue excavations on some archaeological sites in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

4-    The DoA worked in the 1970s and 80s in implementing archaeological surveys inside the Saudi borders in collaboration with the Saudi authorities.

5-    The DoA is involved in the conduct of archaeological surveys in Dubai. 

6-    Since 2000 the DoA has held various short and condensed training courses for junior trainees nominated from different Arabic countries, including Jordan, Palestinian National Authority ,Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, on the field of mosaic restoration at its Mosaic School of Madaba.

7-    In collaboration with the Swedish Embassy and the EU, the DoA in 2001 held a training course at Tell Abu Alkharaz in the field of excavation for Arabic nominees.

8-    In 2003 the DoA held a condensed training course for different junior Arabic nominees in the field of Modern Technology Applied in the Works of Archaeological Survey and Excavation.

Definition of Antiquities

Definition of “antiquity” from the Antiquities Law of Jordan:

 A  - Any object, whether movable or immovable, which has been constructed, shaped, inscribed, erected, excavated, or otherwise produced or

        modified by humankind, earlier than the year A.D. 1750, including caves, sculpture, coins, pottery, manuscripts and all sorts of artifact that 

        indicate the rise and development of sciences, arts, manufacturing, religions and traditions relating to previous cultures, or any part added

        thereto, reconstructed or restored at a later date.

B -  Any Object, movable or immovable, as defined in the previous subsection referring to a date subsequent to the year A.D. 1750, which the

        minister  may declare to be antique by order of the Official Gazette.

C -   Human, plant and animal remains going back to a date earlier than . A.D 600.

Definition of Archaeological  Sites and  Monuments

 Archaeological remains are both sites and buildings of archaeological significance. Jordan contains a wealth of archaeological remains. Some are world famous and attract numerous tourists. Others are of outstanding national significance and of international repute among veteran tourists and scholars. Still others have been the focus of intensive excavation and publication. There are also sites that are well known but have not yet had the attention of scholarly research. Finally, there are hundreds of sites known from surveys and accidental discoveries and numerous yet undiscovered sites whose significance cannot be assessed until they are studied.

Studies and Research

In addition to the field work that represents the main activity of the DoA there has always been great interest, emphasis and consideration placed on the academic archaeological work.  The DoA has led that type of research through: 

A  - Publications of the DoA  

1-     Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (ADAJ), the principal journal of record for Jordanian archaeology, published as a single

       volume every year. Mainly published in English but does not reject any contribution in Arabic.

2-     Studies In The History And Archaeology Of Jordan (SHAJ), published once every three spaced years to report on the researches and papers represented at the “International Conference of the History and Archaeology of Jordan” which is held once every three years. Each conference is hosted in a different country. Published mainly in English, but does not reject any contribution in Arabic.

3-     ATHAR published in Arabic, and intended to be printed four times a year.

4-     A monograph on the DoA achievements in the year 2002 is in press and will appear shortly.

 B - Enhancement of Research

       The DoA has supported and enhanced researchers in all types of study that concern archaeology and history.

1-   The DoA supports researchers in providing essential data.

2-   Access to archaeological sites is permitted for the purpose of research.

3-   In certain cases the DoA has to contributed in funding serious studies implemented by some scholars or students who suffer from a shortage in

      funds.

4-   In certain cases the DoA has contributed in the form of creating joint projects.  In such cases part of the salaries of  workers are paid by the

       DoA.

5-   In some cases local transportation is supported by the DoA.

6-   The specialized library of the DoA is open during working hours to all interested people.

7-   If any references that are missing from the DoA library become  required for studies they are purchased without any delay where they are still

      available in book shops around the world. 

C- The Jordanian Archaeological Data and Information System (JADIS)  

1-  This inventory is dedicated to collecting data and information concerning the various archaeological sites and monument that have been surveyed

      or only visited.

2-  The data from that inventory is supplied to researchers to facilitate their studies.

3-  Data is usually provided to developers and engineers so as to facilitate planning of their projects.  

The Role and Contribution of  DoA in

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops 

1-  Since 1977 under royal patronage the Department of Antiquities (DoA) has held the “International Conference On The History and

      Archaeology of Jordan” every three years in cooperation with friendly countries who offer to host the conference.  Each conference has been

      held in a different country, except for Jordan, which has held the conference twice.  Each conference has had a different main theme.

      International and Jordanian scholars are invited to present learned papers on the proposed themes.

2- Other workshops and meetings have been initiated and held locally by the DoA on specific themes as required by ongoing Jordanian cultural    

      heritage management needs.

3- The DoA usually participates and contributes in the programme of the famous “Conference of the History of Bilad Al-Sham” held by the regional

     Arab Universities on the basis of annual sessions, each held on the premises of a different Arabic  university. 

4- The DoA normally participates in workshops and conferences held by local academic institutions.

5- As part of the good relationships that exist, the DoA usually participates in the workshops and cultural activities organized by foreign cultural

     institutions based in Jordan. 

6- The DoA is committed to contribute in the annual and intervening “Meetings of the Directors and High Responsible Officials of the Arab Heritage

     Departments and Councils”.  Each meeting takes place in a different Arabic country under the patronage and sponsorship of the Arabic

     Organization  for Education, Science and Culture (ALECSO).

7- The DoA is committed to participate in the GO and NGO international conferences and meetings concerning world heritage issues such as those

     held yearly by the “World Heritage Committee (WHC)”, ICOMOS, ICCROM, ICOM, IUCN, and any other cultural bodies.

Archaeological Field Projects Carried out In Jordan

Around sixty planned field projects are annually implemented in Jordan , in addition to urgent rescue projects that add more than another 30 projects a year.

Projects are categorized as:

1-  Systematic archaeological field Surveys (Usually implemented by the DoA or by Jordanian and foreign academic institutions in cooperation and collaboration with the DoA)

2-  Rescue archaeological surveys (implemented by the DoA- CRM team)

3-  Systematic excavations (Usually implemented by either by the DoA teams, or by foreign and Jordanian academic institutions in cooperation and collaboration with the DoA)

   4-  Projects of restoration and conservation  (Implemented by the DoA with contributions from some local and friendly foreign academic and other  concerned institutions).

5-  Presentation of archaeological sites  to the public (implemented by the DoA with some contribution from local  and foreign

      institutions.) 

Field Projects of Excavation and Survey  (2003)

MADABA  MOSAIC  SCHOOL

Introductory Information

Status                          : First school established in the Middle-East but fourth in the world dedicated to the “Science of Training on the  

                                      “Restoration of Mosaics”. 

Nationality                   : Jordanian

Establishment              : Initiated and established  in 1992 as a result of  cooperation between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 

                                       Jordanian Ministry of Tourism  and Antiquities/Antiquities.                                 

Operated by                 : The  Jordanian Department of Antiquities (DoA)/Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities . 

Location                       :  Madaba Downtown /30 km south of Amman.     

Inauguration                :  12th of November 1995 .

Language of lecturing : Mainly Arabic with English as a second language  used by visiting  foreign lecturers.

       It’s specialization was acknowledged in 1994 by the Jordanian Ministry of Education under the Industrial stream within the formal  secondary 

      educational system .

The Ministry of Higher Education confirmed that two qualified students from the school are to be admitted yearly to Yarmouk University and the University of Jordan in the subjects of Archaeology and Fine Arts .

The school enrolls a number of students each academic year to teach them in the fields of Mosaic Production and Restoration, and is involved in several restoration projects in the city of Madaba, as well as in other parts of Jordan .

Thus the Madaba Mosaic School become the only secondary school specializing in this field of restoration in Jordan and the Middle East, and only the fourth such school in the world.

 Main Goals

1 .  To Provide qualified Jordanian artisans to handle the production and restoration of Mosaics.

2.   To perform restoration and periodic maintenance to ancient Mosaics where required.

3.      To create new job opportunities in the fields of Tourism, Art and Archaeology as guides, craftsmen  and restorers.

4.      To spread awareness amongst people of the importance of mosaics as  historical documents and art objects by documenting and studying the mosaic floors .

5.      To make space for mosaics already restored but not shown  because of the lack of proper space.

Educational Background

A. Students Admission: 

     Students come from all backgrounds of Jordanian society, both boys and girls, who finished the 10th grade, with an average of (75% ) and

     above. They sit a special entrance exam in art and general information, in which  the best 15 students are selected.

B.  School Program :

   - The curriculum is divided into three years:

   - The first two years follow the educational system of Vocational Education in Jordan, in addition to specialized materials developed specifically for this field, such as: Drawing (both free-hand and technical).

         - Mosaic Production and Restoration, Scientific Studies such as: Physics of Restoration, Chemistry of Restoration, Biology of    

            Restoration, Geology of Restoration and Italian Language. These themes are taught in theory and practice, supported by fieldwork.

    - The fulfillment of this program is under Jordanian administration, having acquired specialized tutors in each field of education to execute the

       programs.

   - At the end of the second years, students sit the final school year exam (Tawjihi), the two students with the highest grades are qualified for

      University, if the additional studies required by the Jordanian educational system are passed, to study Art, Archaeology or Tourism.

   - The third year is devoted to intensive specialized courses in Mosaic Production and Restoration, to be completed with  a graduation project.

Cooperation with other Parties

-1995: Madaba Mosaic School usually establishes technical and scientific cooperation with Yarmouk University and the University of Jordan. This

  cooperation includes the restoration of ancient mosaics, joint research in the areas of appropriate technology applied to the field of restoration,

   joint workshops, conferences and other related activities.

-1998: A memorandum of cooperation between Madaba Mosaic school and “Intesatra I ’Opificio delle  Pietre Dure di Firenze” was signed,

   agreeing to hold training courses in the field of  stone restoration.

Cooperation with Regional Countries  

     Various training courses have been held at the Madaba Mosaic School on the “Restoration of Mosaics” for junior nominees from the Arab 

      countries  of the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Palestine National Authority and Iraq, together with Jordanian nominees.   

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS AND UNIVERSITIES

Department of Antiquities of Jordan
(DoA)

P.O. Box 88
Amman, Jordan
Tel: 962-6-464-4336
FAX: 962-6-461-5848
 Email : doa@nic.net.jo

Madaba  Mosaic  School

17110-Madaba-P.O.Box(1140)

Telefax: +962-5-3240723

Email: doa@nic.net.jo

 The  Hashemite University

Queen Rania  Institute of Tourism and Heritage

Zarqa-13133-Jordan

P.O Box( 33o127)

Fax: +962-5-3826613

Tel: +962-5-3826600

Email: takasheh@index.com.jo

http://www.hu.edu.jo.inside/institutes/default.htm

Mu'tah University

Department of Archaeology and Tourism
 P.O. Box 7
Karak, Jordan

Fax: +962-3-2375540
TEL: 962-3-2372380

Email: talebsmadi@maktoob.com

University  of  Al Al-Bayt

Samarqand Museum

P.O. Box 130040

Mafraq-Jordan

Fax: +062-6-4871232

Tel :+962-2-6232219

Email : diafobaidat@yahoo.com

www.nic.gov.jo.aabu

 Al-Hussein Bin Talal University

Ma’an-Jordan

www.ahu.edu.jo

Email:ahu@go.com.jo

   University  of  Jordan

Department of Archaeology

Amman, Jordan

Fax: + 962-6-5330689

Tel: +962-6-5355000/ext.3746

 Yarmouk  University,

Faculty  of Archaeology &Anthropology
 Yarmouk University
P.O. Box 566
Irbid, Jordan
TEL: 962-2-276277
FAX: 962-2-274725

FOREIGN ARCHAEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTIONS

The American Center of Oriental Research

(ACOR)

PO Box 2470

Amman 11181

FAX 962 6 534 4181

TEL 962 6 534 617

Email: ACOR@go.com.jo

 British Institute (Council for British Research in the Levant)
P.O. Box 519
Al-Jubeiha, Amman Jordan 11941
FAX: 962-6-533-7197
TEL: 962-6-534-1317
Email: n.qaisi@cbrl.org.uk

German Protestant Institute
 Protestant German Institute (GPI)
Deutsches Evangelisches Institut für Altertumswissenschaft des Heiligen Landes (DEIAHL)
(c/o The German Embassy)
P.O. Box 83
Amman,  Jordan
FAX: 962-6-533-6924
TEL: 962-6-534-2924
E-Mail: gpia@go.com.jo

French Institute (IFPO-Amman)
Institut Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO)
P.O. Box 5348
Amman
TEL: 962-6-4611-872/3
Fax: 962-6-4643-840
E-mail: ifapo-jor@nets.com.jo

Spanish Archaeological Mission
 Spanish Archaeological Mission
P.O. Box 454
(c/o The Spanish Embassy)
Middle Amman
Amman 11118, Jordan
TEL: 962-6-465-5889
FAX: 962-6-462-2140

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