JORDAN- SHUBAYQA FIELD SCHOOL

Website: http://www.ifrglobal.org/programs/me/jordan-shubayqa

Dates: July 31 - August 31, 2014

Project Description: The Shubayqa Archaeological Project investigates the transition from hunting & gathering to agriculture in the Harra desert of Jordan.  In particular, this project investigates the relationship between the Younger Dryas – a global climatic event that led to cooler temperatures and decreased rainfall – and the beginning of agriculture. The project area is the remote, rugged Shubayqa basin, a 12 km² playa situated c. 130 km northeast of the Jordanian capital Amman. In 2014 the project will continue its excavations at the late Natufian site of Shubayqa 1, while also launching excavations at the early Neolithic site Shubayqa 6 nearby. Furthermore, we will continue with our landscape survey of the surrounding area to discover additional sites, and carry out geoarchaeological sampling across the Shubayqa basin to study past environmental conditions. In addition, we will be processing and analyzing finds, and conducting some ethnographic fieldwork to better understand the use of the Badia by modern-day Bedouin pastoralists. 

Syllabus: https://www.ifrglobal.us/images/Syllabus/Syllabus-Jordan%20-%20Shubayqa.pdf

Academic Credits: Attending students will be awarded 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter units) through Connecticut College.

Total Cost: $ 4,900

Accommodations: For the first three days, students and staff will be staying at the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman. During those days students will attend a number of lectures about the project, fieldwork methods and the archaeology of the region. Students will then depart for the Harra desert (ca. 3 hour drive from Amman) and will be staying in rented houses in Safawi, the town nearest to the research area. Accommodation will be pretty basic with everyone sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms. Water supply is limited so that participants must try to conserve water wherever possible – having a long shower every day will be impossible. Each morning the field team will depart early to make the 1 hour drive to the research site, while the house team will stay back to process finds and samples. .  

Meals: All meals will be communal events and will provide plenty of nutritious, basic food in the tradition of local cousin. The field team will take their second breakfast in the field. Special dietary needs may not be guaranteed but vegetable dishes are always served. Other, more specific dietary needs cannot be accommodated.

Travel Information: Students will be met by members of staff upon arrival at Queen Alia Airport in Amman (AMM) and will be taken to the pre-fieldwork accommodation at the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman.

If you missed your connection or your flight is delayed, please call, text or email to the project director.  Local cell phone numbers and other emergency contact information will be provided to all enrolled students.

Visa Requirements: A passport with at least six months of validity is required. US citizens can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Queen Alia Airport, which is valid for 30 days. The visa fee is 20 Jordanian Dinars and must be paid in local currency ($US or other currencies are not accepted). You can exchange $US at the airport upon arrival, but it may be advisable to exchange a sufficient sum of $US Dollars for Jordanian Dinars before you embark on your journey. For more information, please visit the US State Department Travel Advice page.

Health: For specific information regarding travel health issues pertinent to travel in Jordan, consult with the Centers for Disease Control website.

Project Directors and Contact Information: Dr. Tobias Richter, University of Copenhagen (richter@hum.ku.dk)

Apply Now: http://www.ifrglobal.org/apply