Standing on His Shoulders: a Tribute to Bert de Vries
Bert de Vries’ sudden passing at the end of March still feels more akin to a troubling dream than to reality. That uneasy feeling will no doubt persist for quite […]
Bert de Vries’ sudden passing at the end of March still feels more akin to a troubling dream than to reality. That uneasy feeling will no doubt persist for quite […]
From 21 May to 14 June new excavations were carried out at Umm el-Jimal as part of the Calvin College Archaeological Field School and in support of two of the […]
I am absolutely in love with the guitar, I’ve been playing for six years and I don’t go by most days without spending at least a few minutes playing. Naturally, […]
When it comes to visiting a foreign country, it will always be the case that you will see and experience the local culture and traditions. Even if one tries to stay […]
During the 2019 excavation season for Umm el-Jimal, I was part of an archeological excavation team of a trench to discover more of the history of Umm el-Jimal and how […]
For this season at Umm El-Jimal, I was assigned a trench that will be along the water channel that is scheduled to be put in later this summer. The purpose […]
My trench for this season was FF08. It was one of three exploratory trenches dug in advance of the water project at Umm el-Jimal. The purpose of the water project […]
Four weeks in a country is plenty of time to get a feel for the culture. The culture of Jordan, as in any country, is constantly changing. There are plenty […]
As archaeology students at Calvin College, each of us were given our own trenches and teams to manage and direct as we excavate to provide further data and research for […]
Mafraq is a city only a short ride away from the dig house in Umm el-Jimal, or about 10 miles. During many afternoons between work periods of digging, then cleaning […]
Ever since I was a curious 5 year-old my dad has been traveling to Jordan as an archaeologist, promising every time, every single time, he’ll bring me and the rest […]
The West church is one of the most recognizable structures at Umm al-Jimal, with a series of four impressive arches running perpendicular to the city’s busiest road. During the height […]
Two weekends ago, when the team went to Petra, we stayed at the Ammarin Bedouin Camp. Where is the Ammarin Bedouin Camp? Why haven’t I heard of it before? The […]
There are innumerable things which I do not know, and I shall hardly make a dent before I am done trying. But I find that a thirst for knowledge should […]
My trench for the 2019 Umm el-Jimal field season is a looter’s pit in the Southwest church. Only a few years ago, the church’s amazing plaster floors, complete with inscribed […]
Ali is strong, tall, confident and capable in his work. He is the foreman of a large group of men from the town of Umm al-Jimal who, paired with their […]
When I arrived in Jordan, I was expecting culture shock. I’ve been abroad before, I know the drill. You get there and things aren’t what they seem and they do […]
My name is Reagan, I’m a freshman at Calvin College, and my favourite drink is Twinnings Earl Grey Tea, two sugars and a dash of milk. I’m currently working at […]