The Petra Church

by Osama Samawi During my time as an undergraduate, I enrolled in a course called “Technology in Prehistoric Periods.” At 19, the word “technology” still made me think of computers, but I signed up out of curiosity. Prof. Maysoon Al-Nahar introduced us to the fascinating world of stone tool technology using Neolithic assemblages from Tell… Read more The post Stone Tools on Repeat: Exploring Prehistoric Recycling Practices appeared first on ACOR Jordan.

by Rachel Carroll Prior to this field school, my only archaeological experience and exposure came from classes I had taken at the University of Alberta, volunteer work I had done with one of my professors, and travels I had taken with my family. Never once had I stepped foot on a site intending to contribute… Read more The post Under the Jordanian Sun: Summary Reflections of a Student Archaeologist at the Humayma Archaeological Field School appeared first on ACOR Jordan.

by Kareem Rosshandler I had the privilege of staying at the American Center of Research during the months of May, June, and July of 2025 and conducting research on depictions of Midian/Madyan in the Hebrew Bible and the Qur’an. Historically, Midian/Madyan is believed to have been located in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula, with its northernmost… Read more The post The Midianite-Kenite Hypothesis and the Qurʾan: A Salute to ACOR appeared first on ACOR Jordan.

by Joel S. Burnett When it comes to understanding religion in Iron Age Jordan (ca. 1200–550 BCE), terracotta figurines offer one of our most abundant and expressive forms of archaeological evidence. These three-dimensional artistic objects fit readily into one hand (typically 10–15 cm), apparently crafted for personal use. At the same time, they appear across… Read more The post Terracotta Male Figurines from Iron Age Jordan appeared first on ACOR Jordan.

by Roma Aatifi As an intern with the American Center of Research (ACOR) from September to October 2024, I had the opportunity to contribute to the National Cultural Heritage Property Database of The Kingdom of Jordan, an initiative to preserve Jordan’s cultural heritage. Known less formally as the National Inventory Project, it centers around creating… Read more The post ACOR Internship Experience: Preserving Jordan’s Heritage: My Experience with ACOR’s National Inventory Project appeared first on ACOR Jordan.