5 October 2025; updated 7 October 2025
PLEASE NOTE THAT PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE EVENT IN PERSON: https://forms.office.com/r/yjkzJ9AR0Q
ACOR presents a special lecture, cohosted with Fulbright Jordan at their offices in Abdoun (Amman), by Dr David Vila, Distinguished Professor of Religion and Philosophy at John Brown University.
Archaeology has a role to play in our world that goes far beyond the excavation, conservation, and restoration of ancient ruins and artifacts. Both the connections that are made between excavation teams and the local communities around archaeological sites, as well as the lessons learned from the civilizations under excavation, can yield profound insights that are immediately relevant to our modern world. In this presentation, we will consider how various facets of the work of an archaeological excavation can lay the groundwork for the promise of a better world for all of us.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Date: October 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. Amman Time; 11 a.m. EDT
Place: Fulbright Jordan Office, Abdoun (Amman) (click for map)
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82951461350?pwd=mEbgn4NeLZTSbbxHN2fTZigiTKdxvT.1
Webinar ID: 829 5146 1350| Passcode 306310
YouTube livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@ACORJordan1968
In addition, Fulbright Jordan is organizing a guided trip to Abila on Friday, October 24, 2025, led by Dr. Vila. The tour participation fee of 25 JOD will cover the tour and round-trip transportation from the Fulbright Office, as well as lunch. The fee can be paid on the day of the lecture. To sign up for the lecture or for the trip, please fill out the form provided at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/yjkzJ9AR0Q
About the Speaker
David Vila is Distinguished Professor of Religion and Philosophy at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, USA, where he has taught since 1999. Since 2025, he has held the Abila Chair in the Archaeology and History of the Biblical World, and in that capacity directs the University’s Abila Archaeological Project, Jordan Summer Studies Program, Abila Lectures, and other archaeological initiatives. Dr. Vila spent the 2006–2007 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar affiliated with the University of Jordan. During the 2025–2026 academic year he returns to Jordan again through the Fulbright Scholar program and is affiliated with Yarmouk University. His research project includes collaboration with the Department of Antiquities, creating plans for tourism development for Abila of the Decapolis, as well as mapping out five- and ten-year plans for the excavation, conservation, and restoration of the archaeological site of Abila of the Decapolis.