Mark Driessen

Udhruh Archaeological Project
Dr. Ir. Mark Driessen
Leiden University
Dr. Fawzi Abudanah
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
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Southern sector
Arabian limes
Southern sector
limes Arabicus:
from Wadi alHasa to Red Sea
→ ten castella +
two legionary
fortresses: Udhruh
and Aqaba.
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Udhruh: Roman legionary
fortress (castra)
15 km E of Wadi Musa
(Petra)
246x207x248x177m
= 4.7 ha
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Aerial Photo: David Kennedy
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Udhruh
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Possible Nabatean origin
Roman legionary fortress
Transformation into Byzantine/Islamic town
Use/possible continuity into later periods
Aerial Photo: David Kennedy
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Udhruh: legionary fortress/town 4.7 ha
Small excavation trenches  2.0 – 3.5 m till bedrock
> 100.00 m³.
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Udhruh, Jordan
Field Surveys (international: Jordan & Dutch students)
Archaeological research aims:
- I) Collection dateable cq. diagnostic artefacts to obtain grip on
settlement continuity in and around Udhruh.
- II) Encountered structures and systems will provide
information about the social, economic, infrastructural and
military embedding of the site in the surrounding area
(before starting a time-consuming, labour-intensive and
expensive excavation).
- III) Field surveys can give insights in the local, regional and
supraregional functions of Udhruh in a diachronic
comparative framework.
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(Nabatean) funerary monuments
(Petra) that represent the ‘earthly
soul’ of a deceased person (‘nefeshes’).
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Field Surveys around Udhruh (start 25km²)
Aerial photographs, satellite images and preliminary
investigations of the area surrounding Udhruh, show not only a
differentiation in geological zones, but also make clear that the
antique landscape - although in (large) parts undisturbed - was
affected by different natural and anthropogenic processes.
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Aerial Photo: David Kennedy
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- These natural and anthropogenic processes will affect
the quality of retrieved data and artefacts.
→ Describing and mapping the (geo-)morphology in
detail.
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- The spatial and chronological distribution patterns of
archaeological remains are important research criteria.
- All (possible) archaeological structures are categorised
and described in full detail. Their locations/dimensions
are pinpointed by means of GPS.
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Insights in the strategic, infrastructural and socio-economic
embedding of the Roman castra and the later
Byzantine/Islamic town of Udhruh (Adrou/ Augustopolis) in
the local/regional surroundings.
Foci:
1) Traces of possible canabae legionis (socioeconomic facilitating military-civil settlement and
installations that surround castra (NW-limes).
2) Connection road net; with ‘Via Nova Traiana’ and
ancient road to Nabatean capital Petra (15 km W).
3) Supply, storage, outlet water system(s).
4) Network of military communication lines through
higher positioned towers and fortlets and related sight
lines.
5) Location and areal of surrounding necropoli
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Several hectares of stone quarries NW of Udhruh
(Roman-Byzantine periods)
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Annual rainfall 100 mm/yr
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‘Qanat’, water conservation and irrigated field systems
(SE of Udhruh)
Aerial Photo: David Kennedy
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Qanat
(kārīz: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan & central Asia; kahan: Iran; khettara: Marocco; galería: Spain; falaj:
United Arab Emirates & Oman; Kahn of foggara/fughara: North Africa).
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Irrigated fields
(20 Ha ≈ 50 acres)
OSL-dating mortars of Qanats, Channels, Aquaducts and Reservoirs
Reservoir
(50*50m)
Petra papyrus 25
Request for transfer of taxation concerning sale of plot of land.
Concerns 1.111 iugerum of well-irigated, cultivable land
around Augustopolis (Udhruh). Dated 30 January, 559 CE.
(from: Petra Papyri III (2007), 79ff)
Aquaduct
Aerial Photo: David Kennedy
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Key interests (internationalisation, interdisciplinary
plus sustainable approach with different sets of
stakeholders)
- Archaeological research: LU – AHbTU long term joint
venture -> exchange students
- Heritage management: Department of Antiquities Jordan
– Other Partners
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Udhruh is one of the most complete and best
preserved Roman (legionary) fortresses!!!
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Key interests (internationalisation, interdisciplinary
plus sustainable approach with different sets of
stakeholders)
- Archaeological research: LU – AHbTU long term joint
venture -> exchange students
- Heritage management: Department of Antiquities Jordan
– Other Partners
- Sustainable Tourism:
DOA – Cultural Geography
Group of Wageningen
University – Local,
Regional Partners &
Local Population
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Archaeology & Tourism
Petra (Wadi Musa)
Jordan
Al-Khazneh
(the Treasury)
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BBC’s 50 Places
to visit before you die
www.new7wonders.com
1 The Grand Canyon USA
2 Great Barrier Reef Australia
3 Florida USA
4 South Island New Zealand
5 Cape Town South Africa
6 Golden Temple India
7 Las Vegas USA
8 Sydney Australia
9 New York USA
10 Taj Mahal India
11 Canadian Rockies Canada
12 Uluru Australia
13 Chichen Itza Mexico
14 Machu Picchu Peru
15 Niagara Falls Canada / USA
16 Petra Jordan
17 The Pyramids Egypt
18 Venice Italy
19 Maldives Maldives
20 Great Wall China
21 Victoria Falls Zambia / Zimbabwe
22 Hong Kong Hong Kong
23 Yosemite National Park USA
24 Hawaii USA
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Vision
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Nationally, as a premier bachelors granting, interdisciplinary cultural heritage programmes.
Regionally, as a model educator of students demanded by a growing and increasingly diverse job market for archaeologists,
tourism planners and managers and hotel services specialists.
At AHU, in its exemplary role in catalyzing both interdisciplinary and international collaborative research and education
programmes.
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The Petra College of Tourism and Archaeology at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University will be recognized:
Mission The mission of the College of Archaeology, Tourism and Hotel Management at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, is to
provide a holistic foundation to the study of cultural heritage through the three major subfields that include,
archaeology, tourism, and hotel management. This is achieved through a rigorous but balanced curriculum that encompasses
the current theoretical perspectives and methodologies of the discipline.
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Petra –Wadi Musa
- “Cash cow” Jordan
- 3000-5000 visitors/day (2010)
- Wishes → Dispersion/spread of visitors
Longer stay
Regional archeo-touristic experience
(satellite sites)
Sustainable community-based
tourism
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Key interests (internationalisation,
interdisciplinary plus sustainable approach)
- Archaeological research: LU – AHbTU long term
joint venture -> exchange students
- Heritage management: Department of Antiquities
Jordan – LU – AHbTU – other partners
- Sustainable Tourism: DOA – Cult. Geog. WU
- Sustainable approach → (possible) interests local
population Udhruh (work/income through
tourism and improvement of agriculture)
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- Co m m o n si t e s o r a l
h i st o r y
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Thank you for your attention
For questions etc.:
[email protected]
[email protected]
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