Crossing Jordan

This concise and illustrated book highlights the contributions of North American archaeologists to the archaeology of Jordan. For over 150 years, North American researchers have played a pivotal role in the exploration of Jordan, the development of archaeological methods there, and the construction of theoretical approaches to study the deep-time archaeological record of this key part of the Middle East. As the American Center of Oriental Research will host the May, 2007 10th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan entitled Crossing Jordan in Washington, D.C. under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, it is important that a book-length publication be printed and distributed in time for this international event. Chapters are written primarily by the archaeological expedition directors, lending the book an authoritative and 'cutting edge' view of the most recent discoveries and interpretive models of archaeology in Jordan today. By looking at the archaeology of the southern Levant through the lens of North American archaeological research in Jordan, the entire history of this crucial part of the Middle East's Fertile Crescent is highlighted - from Prehistory to Ottoman times. This richly illustrated book is the most up-to-date guide to the archaeological heritage of Jordan and an important resource for scholars, students, citizens, NGOs, embassy personnel, and tourists. -- Publisher Description. Located at a critical transition zone along the Levantine corridor that links the continents of Africa and Asia, Jordan has been crossed and impacted by humankind and civilizations since remote prehistoric times. For archaeologists, historians and other researchers, Jordan still represents one of the least explored parts of the Middle East and Holy Land. Following the 1967 Middle East war this began to change with the establishment of the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman. While North American archaeologists have helped to make Jordan a focal point for Middle Eastern archaeology, this historically rich region still provides terra incognita and exciting new opportunities for discoveries related to the full range of human cultural evolution and history. This concise and well illustrated book highlights recent archaeological research in Jordan based on the most current excavations of more than 40 North American scholars and their Jordanian colleagues. -- from Back Cover.