Deep in the Jordanian desert lies an extraordinary ruin. It is a Roman fort that can stake a claim to being the best-preserved example anywhere in the former empire. But this relic of imperial... Show moreDeep in the Jordanian desert lies an extraordinary ruin. It is a Roman fort that can stake a claim to being the best-preserved example anywhere in the former empire. But this relic of imperial power is in urgent need of conservation work. David Breeze, Mark Driessen, and Fawzi Abudanah discuss why Qasr Bshir is special, and the challenges that lie ahead. Show less
The Roman eastern frontier stretched from the north-east shore of the Black Sea to the Red Sea. It faced Rome’s formidable foe, the kingdom of Parthia, and its successor, Sasanian Persia. Rome’s... Show moreThe Roman eastern frontier stretched from the north-east shore of the Black Sea to the Red Sea. It faced Rome’s formidable foe, the kingdom of Parthia, and its successor, Sasanian Persia. Rome’s bulwark in antiquity was the area known as Syria or the Levant, roughly modern Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. To the south lay the Nabataean kingdom, annexed by Rome in 106 and formed into the province of Arabia. To the north, the Cappadocian frontier was laid out in one of the most inaccessible and remote parts of Eurasia facing extremes of climate and topography, amid a patchwork of client kingdoms. This hidden and fascinating frontier in Turkey, whose bases mostly lie under reservoirs, is the major omission from this volume and it is hoped that a more in-depth account might appear in due course. The Caucasian forts along the edge of the Black Sea are, however, part of this volume; this is perhaps Rome’s least known frontier archaeologically but the subject of a unique account by Arrian when governor of Cappadocia. Show less
The aim of this research is to assign the provenance of marble samples uncovered from the extra-mural Byzantine Church of Udhruh (Augustopolis), south Jordan. The church is a three-nave basilica... Show moreThe aim of this research is to assign the provenance of marble samples uncovered from the extra-mural Byzantine Church of Udhruh (Augustopolis), south Jordan. The church is a three-nave basilica that most probably was built in the fifth century CE. In later expansion phases, it was remodeled by the addition of two side chapels and several rooms. The research investigated the physical, mineralogical, and isotopic properties of twenty-four marble samples of different functions using naked eyes, lenses, and multiple analytical techniques including optical microscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the architectural elements were made of the gray calcitic Proconnesus-1 marble (Marmara, Turkey); while the four fonts or basins were carved out of the beige dolomitic Thasos-3 marble (Thasos Island, Cape Vathy, Greece); and the small squared column of unknown function was carved out of the fine-grained white calcitic Penteli marble (Mount Pentelikon, Attica, Greece).The results indicate that the most popular supply of the ecclesial marble to the south (and north) Jordan during the Byzantine period was the gray Proconnesus-1. The use of white Penteli and Thasos-3 marbles were limited to ritual elements. Show less
In 2007-2008, the Amsterdam Archaeological Centre of the University of Amsterdam excavated in the small Roman town of Voorburg (Forum Hadriani) near The Hague in The Netherlands. The excavations... Show moreIn 2007-2008, the Amsterdam Archaeological Centre of the University of Amsterdam excavated in the small Roman town of Voorburg (Forum Hadriani) near The Hague in The Netherlands. The excavations were undertaken in the expectation of examining one or two insulae of this Roman town. We were very surprised when a dredged channel (110 x 32m) with quay installations consisting of two successive periods of driven piles was uncovered. An immense quantity of portable finds – especially pottery – was retrieved from this channel. The provenances in combination with the form and function of the retrieved pottery make clear that the settlement played a role in trade and military supplies. At first there seems to be a British connection by means of retrieved Romano-British artefacts in Voorburg. Next to that there are some striking resemblances between the Roman harbours of Voorburg-Arentsburg and London when comparing the origin of pottery and several formation processes. Secondly, the pottery provenances and the form and function of the retrieved ware show that the harbour of Voorburg played an important role in supplying the regional coastal forts in the C2nd and C3rd. Show less
