- Source: Department of Antiquities (Jordan)
The Department of Antiquities (Arabic: دائرة الآثار العامة, romanized: Dāʼirat al-Āthār al-ʻĀmmah) is a government department in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with responsibility for archaeological research and cultural heritage management. It is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The Department was established in 1923 in what was then the Emirate of Transjordan, a protectorate of the British Empire. Its responsibilities are legislated for in laws no. 24 of 1934, no. 21 of 1988 and no. 22 of 2004.
The Department has organised an international conference on the history and archaeology of Jordan every three years since 1980.
Historical background
Initially part of the Department of Palestinian Antiquities, the Department of Antiquities was formed to collect and safeguard antiquities scattered across Jordan. The legal framework governing its operations was established through Law No. 21 in 1988, which defines antiquities as any human-made object predating 1700 AD, encompassing a wide range of artifacts including sculptures, manuscripts, and architectural remains.
Structure and responsibilities
The Department is managed by a Director General who reports directly to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. Its responsibilities include:
Supervision of Archaeological Work: The Department oversees both local and foreign archaeological missions, ensuring compliance with Jordan's archaeological strategy
Approval of Excavation Requests: All requests for archaeological excavations or surveys must be submitted to the Department for evaluation and approval
Scientific Research and Documentation: The Directorate of Studies and Research within the Department publishes scientific reports and maintains comprehensive documentation related to Jordan's antiquities
Publications (print and online)
Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (ADAJ), an academic journal published since 1951
The Middle Eastern Geodatabase for Antiquities – Jordan (MEGA-J), a comprehensive public geographic information system and database of archaeological sites in the country, developed in cooperation with the Getty Conservation Institute to replace the Jordan Antiquities Database and Information System (JADIS)
Cultural heritage management
The Department plays a crucial role in preserving Jordan's cultural heritage, which includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and Qusayr Amra. It collaborates with international organizations like UNESCO to enhance the protection and management of these sites.
Directors general
The department is headed by a director general.
Ridha Tawfiq, 1923–1928
Tawfiq Abu al-Huda, 1929
Ala Edein Toqan, 1931
Adeeb al-Kayed, 1933
Hisham Kair, 1933–1939
Gerald Lankester Harding, 1939–1956. Harding's book "The Antiquities of Jordan" is still considered a reference to this day.
Abd el–Kareem Gharaybeh, 1956
Saeed al-Durrah, 1956–1959
Awni al-Dajani, 1959–1968. Al-Dajani is the first Jordanian holder of a Ph.D. in Archaeology.
Michael Jmaiaan, 1968
Yaacoub Ouais, 1968–1971 and 1972–1977
Mansour al-Bataineh, 1971–1972
Adnan al-Hadidi 1977–1989
Ghazi Bishah, 1989–1991 and 1994–1999
Safwan al-Tall, 1991–1994
Fawwaz al-Khraysheh, 1999–2010
Ziad al-Saad, 2010–2011
Faris al-Hmoud, 2011–2013
Monther Jamhawi, 2013–2018
Yazeed Alian, 2018-2021
Ahmed Shami, (acting) Feb 2021-July 2021
Hisham al-Abadi, July 2021-October 2021
Fadi A. Bala'awi, October 2021-present
See also
Department of Antiquities
References
External links
Official website (English)
Official website (Arabic)
MEGA-J
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Petra
- Yordania
- Al-Qabu
- Dhiban, Yordania
- Indonesia
- Jean Starcky
- Sungai Zarqa
- Negara Islam Irak dan Syam
- Department of Antiquities (Jordan)
- Department of Antiquities
- Jordan Lead Codices
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Jordan)
- Department of Antiquities (Mandatory Palestine)
- Antiquities
- Jordan Antiquities Database and Information System
- Petra
- The Jordan Museum
- Governorates of Jordan
