Jordan Times
Friday, September 30, 2005
US grants to safeguard
heritage of two archaeological sites
The Kingdom is one of the largest recipients of the Ambassador's
Fund for Cultural Preservation this year, with the grants totaling more than
$85,000
By Victoria Macchi
HESBAN — Atop Tal Hesban in the Madaba Plains on Thursday, winds threatened to carry off a document that would safeguard the very existence of an archaeological site, which contains evidence from no less than 21 historical periods.
A grant from the US Ambassador's Fund for
Cultural Preservation will restore and preserve the remains of the settlements
that lie above and within the hill of Tal Hesban.
US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires David Hale signed the grant agreement at a ceremony
yesterday, attended by local leaders as well as Jordanian and American
academics.
Increased vandalism within the last year raised concerns about the future of Tal
Hesban. The $45,750 grant will go towards restoring and maintaining the site,
one of two winning projects in Jordan in 2005.
Plans to construct paths allowing visitors to explore the site without harming
its structural integrity and to facilitate movement around the site for workers
and tourists are also under way.
Andrews University, based in the US, has led archaeological efforts at Tal
Hesban since the beginning of excavation in 1968. Primary areas to benefit from
the grant are the Byzantine Church, the Governor's steam bathhouse, and the
Mamluk Governor's residence.
Furthermore, the archaeological team is considering reconstructing part of the
site, namely the Byzantine Church, in order to attract further tourism to the
area.
Also included in the Tal Hesban project is anthropological research among the
Ajarmeh villagers of the area, including research into traditional methods of
rainwater harvesting.
Hale signed a second $39,748 grant for the restoration of the Neolithic village
of Ghwair I in Wadi Feinan. Alan Simmons of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas,
the institution leading work on the site, highlighted the importance of
continued funding after excavation in places such as Tal Hesban and Ghwair 1.
Grants for the preservation of what he called “very elaborate communities” are
crucial to ensure continued maintenance of accomplished work.
When asked about the grants awarded under the Ambassador's Fund this year in
Jordan and the direction of future funding, Chargé d'Affaires Hale replied that
he was pleased with the current projects.
Hale said that in the future he would like to see more done to preserve living
heritage in addition to archaeological work.
“What particularly interests me,” he said, “[are] ways we can find programs to
preserve forms of expression like dance, music and language.”
Jordan was one of the largest recipients of the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural
Preservation this year, with these two grants totaling more than $85,000.
Worldwide, 150 grants were given totaling $2.5 million.
During yesterday's ceremony, Hesban Mayor Khalil Dabbas presented Hale with a
plaque in appreciation of the grants.
“You can count on us to be partners in the development of culturally sensitive
tourism,” said Hale.
Hesban Provincial Governor Ahmad Khatatbeh, as well as representatives from the
Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Antiquities, the US embassy, and various
archaeological missions in Jordan also attended the ceremony.