Latest news with #Mu'tahUniversity
New York Post
10-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Archaeologist unearths mysterious Christian settlement hidden away for centuries
An archaeologist recently uncovered the likely remains of a long-forgotten Byzantine settlement, offering new insights into the history of Christianity in the Middle East. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh, an associate professor of archaeology at Mu'tah University in Jordan, recently published his findings in the journal Gephyra in May. The archaeologist believes he's uncovered the ancient site of Tharais, guided by the enigmatic Madaba Map – a remarkable mosaic that has puzzled historians for centuries. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Al-Rawahneh said he located the site near the Jordanian village of El-ʿIrāq, in an area known as Ain Al-Qala'a. Though the site was lost to obscurity, the historian said the once-thriving settlement was located 'strategically' along trade routes to the southeastern Dead Sea region. At the site, Al-Rawahneh and his team uncovered artifacts ranging from pottery shards and stone tools to glass remnants. He also uncovered fossils during his excavation. The area was filled with architectural remains, including a Byzantine church. When asked what was the most interesting finding at the site, Al-Rawahneh pointed to several discoveries, including the Christian church and an olive oil press. The church, which the historian called 'basilica-style,' retained fragments of mosaic floors typical of Byzantine Christian sites. 3 Associate professor of archaeology at Mu'tah University, Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh uncovered the likely remains of a long-forgotten Byzantine settlement. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh/Gephyra '[It] reflects Byzantine design, including a prominent entrance and possible remnants of decorative elements,' he said. Archaeologists also found various inscriptions, which Al-Rawahneh said were linked to ancient funerary practices. While the inscriptions require further research, the professor said they 'may include Christian imagery and references,' which will provide more insight into ancient religious practices. So what led to Tharais becoming 'lost'? Al-Rawahneh said the site was abandoned by the 7th century A.D., based on what archaeologists have learned about activity in the area. 3 The remains were discovered near the Jordanian village of El-ʿIrāq. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh/Gephyra The expert pointed to changes in trade routes, earthquakes and environmental changes as possible reasons. Al-Rawahneh also noted that the area transitioned from Byzantine to Islamic control in the seventh century. More research is in the works, including surveys of surrounding areas and additional analysis of the artifacts that were found, he said. In the future, Al-Rawahneh said he hopes that upcoming research will 'enhance the understanding of Tharais and its significance within the broader context of Byzantine archaeology in Jordan.' 3 Al-Rawahneh and his team of archaeologists found pottery shards, stone tools, glass remnants, and architectural remains, including a Byzantine church. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh/Gephyra The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, lasted from 330 A.D. to the 15th century. The empire began to take shape in 330 A.D., when Constantine the Great moved the Roman capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Many fascinating finds from the Byzantine era still turn up in Asia Minor and the Middle East today. In May, Israeli officials put a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from a Christian monastery on public display for the first time. In Syria, a contractor recently stumbled across a Byzantine tomb complex while clearing rubble.
Fox News
10-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologist unearths mysterious Christian settlement hidden away for centuries
An archaeologist recently uncovered the likely remains of a long-forgotten Byzantine settlement, offering new insights into the history of Christianity in the Middle East. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh, an associate professor of archaeology at Mu'tah University in Jordan, recently published his findings in the journal Gephyra in May. The archaeologist believes he's uncovered the ancient site of Tharais, guided by the enigmatic Madaba Map – a remarkable mosaic that has puzzled historians for centuries. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Al-Rawahneh said he located the site near the Jordanian village of El-ʿIrāq, in an area known as Ain Al-Qala'a. Though the site was lost to obscurity, the historian said the once-thriving settlement was located "strategically" along trade routes to the southeastern Dead Sea region. At the site, Al-Rawahneh and his team uncovered artifacts ranging from pottery shards and stone tools to glass remnants. He also uncovered fossils during his excavation. The area was filled with architectural remains, including a Byzantine church. When asked what was the most interesting finding at the site, Al-Rawahneh pointed to several discoveries, including the Christian church and an olive oil press. The church, which the historian called "basilica-style," retained fragments of mosaic floors typical of Byzantine Christian sites. "[It] reflects Byzantine design, including a prominent entrance and possible remnants of decorative elements," he said. Archaeologists also found various inscriptions, which Al-Rawahneh said were linked to ancient funerary practices. While the inscriptions require further research, the professor said they "may include Christian imagery and references," which will provide more insight into ancient religious practices. Archaeologists also found various inscriptions. So what led to Tharais becoming "lost"? Al-Rawahneh said the site was abandoned by the 7th century A.D., based on what archaeologists have learned about activity in the area. The expert pointed to changes in trade routes, earthquakes and environmental changes as possible reasons. Al-Rawahneh also noted that the area transitioned from Byzantine to Islamic control in the seventh century. More research is in the works, including surveys of surrounding areas and additional analysis of the artifacts that were found, he said. In the future, Al-Rawahneh said he hopes that upcoming research will "enhance the understanding of Tharais and its significance within the broader context of Byzantine archaeology in Jordan." The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, lasted from 330 A.D. to the 15th century. The empire began to take shape in 330 A.D., when Constantine the Great moved the Roman capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Many fascinating finds from the Byzantine era still turn up in Asia Minor and the Middle East today. In May, Israeli officials put a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from a Christian monastery on public display for the first time. In Syria, a contractor recently stumbled across a Byzantine tomb complex while clearing rubble.
Jordan Times
17-04-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
FAO, Mu'tah University launch women-led climate adaptation initiative
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with Mu'tah University, on Wednesday celebrates the graduation of a group of 'Climate Wise Women Agents' (CWWAs) (Photo courtesy of FAO) AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with Mu'tah University, on Wednesday celebrated the graduation of a group of 'Climate Wise Women Agents' (CWWAs), who completed a six-month training programme on climate change adaptation. The training is part of an agreement between FAO and Mu'tah University under the $33.25 million project, 'Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector' (BRCCJ). The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the ministries of Water and Irrigation, Agriculture, Environment, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), according to a FAO statement. The eight graduates, female agricultural engineers, are now certified trainers who will go on to empower 400 women across the governorates of Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma'an, enabling them to better adapt to the impacts of climate change, support their families, and promote sustainable development in their communities. Speaking at the ceremony, FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: 'FAO is investing in women as drivers of change. One of our most important initiatives is the BRCCJ project, which includes establishing a cadre of 400 Climate Wise Women to promote climate resilience in vulnerable areas.' He added that the eight newly certified agents are a major output of the FAO-Mu'tah agreement, which included developing a training manual and providing technical training to prepare the graduates for their role in scaling climate-smart practices. Representing the university, Vice President for Scientific Colleges Affairs Ameen Aqel affirmed the university's commitment to community development. 'The trained women will act as a core group to raise awareness and train 400 women,100 in each of the four targeted governorates, on climate adaptation strategies, particularly in agriculture and water resource management,' he said. He also said, "The challenges posed by climate change require a strong national response, including the adoption of sustainable environmental policies, improving water resource management, and raising public awareness about the importance of climate adaptation." He pointed out that climate change has significant negative effects on the Kingdom due to its geographical location and the environmental conditions it faces, particularly water scarcity. Director of the Prince Faisal Centre for Dead Sea, Energy, and Environmental Research Amjad Tarawneh also attended the ceremony. The BRCCJ Project, with a fund at $33.25 million, targets four governorates in the Dead Sea Basin—Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma'an, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity resulting from shifting climate conditions. The residents of these areas mainly rely on rain-fed agriculture, face high poverty rates, and lack adequate knowledge and resources to cope with climate change, the statement said. Women, as key agents of change in climate adaptation, are playing a central role in this project, aiming to improve women's accessibility to resources and information which will enable them to become more adaptive to climate change and safeguard their livelihoods.
