incenseroute

BMP Summer Description

On the Bir Madhkur project you will have the opportunity to develop archaeological skills, discover the fascinating history of Jordan, explore a diverse culture, and, most importantly, have fun!

Through excavation and survey you will development your archaeological skills. If you have participated in a project before, you will be able to apply your skills in a new environment with different material culture and learn new methods. If you have no experience, don’t worry! The BMP is a great way to get your feet wet and project staff will work with volunteers to identify archaeological features and record them scientifically.

While in Jordan you are strongly encouraged to discover the long and fascinating history of Jordan and its culture. Owing to its location, the land of Jordan has been on the crossroads of history, where empires and cultures have interacted in dynamic and formative ways.

You can visit religious sites, such as Mount Nebo, Lot’s cave, or the site of the Baptism.

Stroll through magnificent and well-preserved Roman cities.

(Panoramic of Jerash, where the emperor Hadrian stayed and which contains some of the best preserved Roman architecture outside of Italy.)

(The Treasury at Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabataean kingdom.)

Or stand from the walls of crusader castles such as Shobak, Karak, and Ajlun.

(Shobak Castle)

Like its history, Jordan’s culture is rich and diverse. The cosmopolitan capital, Amman, draws people from all over the world. One need look no further for Amman’s cosmopolitan nature than to its cuisine, from Syrian, to American, to Greek, to Chinese. But we will also leave the bustle of Amman for the countryside, where we will work closely with local Bedouin.

(A volunteer with Mousa, Mousa, and Awad [left to right])

Above all, participants should have fun this summer. You will spend a lot of time hiking through a beautiful landscape.

(Qasr Umm-Rattam with mountain ranges in the background.)

On the insistence of our Bedouin friends, you will also drink a lot of tea and play traditional games.

(A volunteer playing a game similar to checkers with Awad.)

(Tea break during survey)

Finally, take weekend trips to destinations such as Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra

(View of Aqaba from a resort hotel.)

(Wadi Rum)

During the summer we will be living at Bir Madhkur, a Bedouin village, in a comfortable tourist village, complete with beds, fans, private bathrooms, and beautiful sunsets.

(Sunset over the desert)

We cook our own meals, and each summer we have excellent cooks and eat well. Occasionally we join the larger community for a bedouin-style barbeque.

So if you are interested in archaeology, history, new cultures, and having fun while learning a great deal, fill out a volunteer application and feel free to email Prof. Andrew M. Smith II, if you have any questions.

Credits: Thanks to Patrick for compiling this excellent narrative!