Footstep in the sands of Wadi Rum, Jordan, 2008

Jordan, April 2008

Amman

Amman
The national flag flying over the city of Amman.
King Abdullah Mosque – Amman
The King Abdullah Mosque.
Temple of Hercules at Citadel hill – Amman
The remains of the Temple of Hercules, at Citadel hill.
Temple of Hercules at Citadel hill – Amman
The remains of the Temple of Hercules, at Citadel hill.
A two-headed bust from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic – 6500 BC – at the Archaeological Museum – Amman
A two-headed bust from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, 6,500 BC, at the Archaeological Museum.
Copper Scroll at the Archaeological Museum – Amman
A very special dead sea scroll.

This is the Copper Scroll, describing a great golden treasure worth many fortunes. Unfortunately, none of the locations gleaned from this treasure map had the promised gold hidden there.

Jar at the Archaeological Museum – Amman
The jar in which the Copper Scroll was found.

Jerash

Hadrian’s Arch – Jerash
Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch at Jerash.
Oval Plaza – Jerash
View north from the Oval Plaza.
Temple of Artemis – Jerash
Temple of Artemis.
Temple of Artemis – Jerash
Temple of Artemis.
Colonaded Street – Jerash
Colonaded Street.

Madaba

Church of Saint George – Madaba
Church of Saint George, Madaba.
The Map of Madaba at the church of Saint George – Madaba
The Map of Madaba, at the church of Saint George, Madaba.

This is the oldest surviving mosaic map of the Holy Land, showing pilgrims the way to the walled city of Jerusalem.

Church of Saint George – Madaba
Inside the church of Saint George.

Mount Nebo

The Brazen Serpent sculpture – Mount Nebo
The Brazen Serpent sculpture at Mount Nebo.
View from Mount Nebo
View from Mount Nebo.

The map shows the directions and distances of (among others) the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho.

The King’s Highway

Black Iris
The Black Iris is the national flower of Jordan…
Black Iris
…and flowers for only a short time each year.
View from the King’s Highway
View from the King’s Highway.

Al Karak

Karak Castle
Karak Castle.
Jordanian flag flying over Karak Castle
Jordanian flag flying over Karak Castle.
Windows at one end of the stable block – Karak Castle
Windows at one end of the stable block.
Tunnels within Karak Castle
One of the many tunnels within Karak Castle.
One end of the Kitchen at Karak Castle
One end of the Kitchen at Karak Castle.

Petra

Al Kazneh (“The Treasury”) at Petra
At last. The world-famous Treasury at Petra, the Rose-Red City.
Al Kazneh (“The Treasury”) at Petra
Al Kazneh (“The Treasury”) has to be Jordan’s most recognisable landmark. It was carved out of the sandstone rock face 2000 years ago, and probably used as a royal tomb.

The site at Petra is huge, containing many tombs with large chambers cut from the rose-coloured rock.

The colours and rock formations astound everyone who visit…

…with the possible exception of the local donkeys.

Wadi Run

Wadi Run – Lawrence of Arabia country
Lawrence of Arabia country. This is the area where Lawrence was based during the Arab Revolt of 1917-18.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Wadi Rum
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock formation.
Rock formation in Wadi Rum
One of our guides draws our attention to a rock formation he thought we might not spot.
Footprints in the sands of Wadi Rum
Following in the footsteps…?
Rusted truck inthe sands of Wadi Rum
It can be harsh in the desert.
Carving of T.E. Lawrence – Wadi Rum
Carving of T.E. Lawrence.

The Dead Sea

Salt deposits on the shore of the Dead Sea
Salt deposits on the shore of the Dead Sea.

The Jordan River

Baptism Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan
The excavated remains of the Baptism Site of Jesus, at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan.
The baptismal font at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan
The baptismal font at the modern baptism site.
Entrance to the modern baptism site on the Jordan River
The entrance to the modern baptism site on the Jordan River.