Ministry
of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA).
Two
sites of antiquity are being developed through protection and promotional works
– these are Um ar Rassas and Al Lehun. The programme has provided International
Technical Assistance to prepare the final designs and Tender Dossiers and the
EC will fund the Works programmes.
Um
ar Rassas. See PiC
This
World Heritage Cultural Site is significant to Muslims and Christians, however
is largely unknown and little visited. Set on rolling plains it comprises a
Roman era Castrum, the unique 15 metre high Stylite Towerand a Byzantine period
township with many Churches, many of which contain splendid floor mosaics that
were built during the early Islamic period.
The
Works contract will begin in early 2006 and involves the following:
-
A Visitor Centre with
access roads and parking.
-
Interpretation and
Orientation materials for
visitor.
-
Access pathways and
site signage.
-
A new shelter over the World
Heritage mosaics of the Bishop
Sergius
Church and the
St. Stephens Church.>
-
Possibly a new shelter over the
Church
of
Lions.
-
Parking and information material at the
Stylite
Tower.
A
range of informational material including videos, posters, postcard, visitor
guide and pamphlets are also being produced.
Al
Lehun. See Pic ----
This
site set on the cusp of Wadi Mujib has been occupied more or less continuously
since early man until today. Significantly the various settlements have
occurred adjacent to one another not on top of each other as is more usual –
therefore it is possible at this one site to view settlements from
-
Bronze Ages I and II
-
Iron Ages I and II
-
Nabatean
-
Umayyad
-
Mamluk
-
Ottoman
The
dig house used by the Belgian Committee for Excavations in
Jordan
is being converted into a small regional interpretation center, and the site is
being prepared to receive visitors through conservation works, development of
footpaths and informational signage and other materials. Works will be complete
in early 2006.
For
information on the archaeology of Al Lehun please visit
http://www.lehun-excavations.be
Department
of Antiquities (DoA).
The
need to build capacity in the management of historic sites is the focus of the
Technical Assistance being provided to DoA. Studies have been conducted that
have assisted both MoTA and DoA in its review of how best to organize the
management of sites.
The
concentration is on developing a new approach for managing the Um ar Rassas and
Al Lehun sites to provide a visitor experience that exceeds expectations, and
to deliver economic benefits to both the local community and the national
economy.
Underlying this will be the prudent and responsible management of the archeological remains to ensure these are preserved and
are not degraded as a consequence of tourism.
Technical
Assistance is being provided to help DoA write the Site Management Plan that
will establish all strategies and policies for management of the World Heritage
Site.
The
vision for the business operation at Um ar Rassas is being developed together
with the structure for the Site Management Unit. When complete, and recruitment
occurs, the grant provides for staff training and assistance as the Um ar
Rassas project is launched to receive visitors.
Further
Information.
European
Commission Delegation to the
Hashemite
Kingdom
of
Jordan
http://www.deljor.cec.eu.int
Email address:
delegation-jordan@cec.eu.int
Jordan
Tourism Board
http://www.jtb.com.jo
Email
address:
info@jtb.com.jo
