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 […]
2019 Field Season Summary
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 […]
“Yallah Habibi”
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, […]
A Simple Trip to Get a Robe
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 […]
Digging Two Meters Down to Find Rectangular Rocks: Or My Work at Trench R20.
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 […]
UJ 2019 Field Work: Working Along the Water Channel Project
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 […]
FF.08: a 1×1.5m hole in the desert
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 […]
The cultural musings of a weary archeologist
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 […]
2019 Julianos Church Trench, DD.04
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 […]
Life in Urban Jordan: Mafraq and Beyond
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 […]
It’s about Time…
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 […]
West Church Trench U.09
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 […]
Bedouin Tent Camp “feel the sense of timelessness”
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 […]
At the Confluence of Worlds: An Ignorant Traveler’s Thoughts
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 […]
Destruction and Opportunity: Trench Two of the Southwest Church
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 […]
Tea and Hospitality
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 […]
“Religion Shock” in Jordan
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 2019 Fieldwork Contribution: Reagan Rohl
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 […]