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... use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms of ovens associated with ashy layers, often rich in animal bones. Farther to the west, food-processing activities had taken place as indicated by large numbers of grinding slabs and manos. In the same area and nearby, a concentration of stone discs was found together with partially formed products ( fig. 13), indicating a manufacturing area for sandstone rings. Both the groundstone and the chipped lithic industries are well represented and reflect the spectra of types known from other LPPNB sites. The flint and groundstone industries of Ba'ja suggest a selfreliant regional center rather than a center enveloped in large-scale surplus ...
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... The bases of a few of the supporting stone pillars were discovered, consisting of field stones mixed with a gray lime mortar, along with well cut sandstone ashlars blocks. It is clear from the construction of the aqueduct (Fig. 5) that cuts through two rooms adjacent to the northern part of the prayer hall that the aqueduct was a later construction (Waheeb 1998b(Waheeb , 1998c. ...
Recent archeological survey and excavations conducted in Tel Mar Elyas (Bethany Beyond the Jordan) confidently provide explicit answers about early ecology and history of Christian community east of Jordan. Churches, caves, prayer halls and water system installations were recovered in and around Tel Mar Elyas. The discovered remains of elaborate water system include pools, cisterns, wells and aqueducts refer to skilled engineering water system built during the Byzantine period. The author of this paper with his team systematically surveyed and excavated some 20 sites along both banks of the perennial Wadi Kharrar, covering an area of several square kilometers east of the Jordan River. This work has confirmed the location of the main settlement of Bethany at the head of the Wadi Kharrar, about 1.5 kilometers east of the river. Here, the team uncovered a 1st century AD settlement with plastered pools and water systems that were almost certainly used for baptism, and a late Byzantine settlement (5th-6th century AD) with churches, a monastery and other structures that probably catered to religious pilgrims. The present study includes also the results of field survey which has documented the ancient pilgrimage route that linked Jerusalem, via the Jordan River and Bethany in Jordan, to Mt. Nebo. Several Byzantine churches and other structures have been identified between the river and Bethany and are under publication. Some of them commemorate Jesus’ baptism while other structures were monasteries for ascetic monks. The paper concluded with conclusion and recommendations aiming to preserve the remaining fragile water system installations.
... The same hill that forms the heart of modern Tell-Kharrar and Roman -Byzantine Bethany beyond the Jordan has also long been identified (since the 4 th century AD) as the spot where the prophet Elijah lived (Waheeb 1998(Waheeb , 1999. ...
The discovery of the Baptism Site is considered as a major step in field of archaeology and cultural heritage in Jordan Valley on the eastern bank of Jordan River. The ecology of the site played a vital role in the events occurred during the early history of the site during Roman and Byzantine period. The article has discussed the major threats to the ecology, heritage and eco-tourism at the component of the site, and the possible mitigations measures in order to sustain the site for future generations. The proposed procedures to protect the identified sites includes enhancement the restoration and preservation of the components in order to reduce the negative impacts and strengthen coordination between the Conservation section of the baptism site by creating an architectural conservation staff formed exclusively by professionals according to the Venice Charter regulations. A well established conservation process is needed to minimize these effects, and to protect the archeological and heritage sites in Bethany beyond the Jordan.
Recent archeological activity in the area of the Jordan Valley, east of the Jordan River in Wadi al-Kharrar, has identified remains dating from the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods. These remains indicate that the area was inhabited during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. They also show that monks and hermits lived in the region during the byzantine period and the beginning of early Islamic times. A brief description of the archeological remains is presented here as well as descriptions of pilgrims and travellers from the 4 th Century till the present.
The place of Aenon near to Salem must have been so well known, that
John states the name with great brevity, giving no further topographical
reference. Recent survey and excavations on the eastern side of Jordan
River in the area of Ain Salem located close to the lower parts of
Wadi Hesban shed light on new archaeological evidences such as
churches, water installations, hermits caves, and active springs still
running in the area, related to activities of John the Baptist during his
ministry in Perea during the Roman Age.
Since 1996 the systematic excavations started on the eastern part of Jordan River, archaeological works have uncovered the ruins of a dozen ancient churches and monasteries-some with splendid mosaic floors-scattered over small hills and barren terraces in an area located between Wadi Iraq Al Ameer, and Wadi Hesban where both water of the two Wadies joints together in the lower area of Livias; recently called Rama & Kafrein. There were also wells, baptism pools and elaborate water system built by the first converts to Christianity.
Recent archeological activity in the area of the Jordan Valley, east of the Jordan River in Wadi al-Kharrar, has identified remains dating from the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods. These remains indicate that the area was inhabited during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. They also show that monks and hermits lived in the region during the byzantine period and the beginning of early Islamic times. A brief description of the archeological remains is presented here as well as descriptions of pilgrims and travellers from the 4th Century till the present.
