A BYZANTINE CHAPEL IN THE YĀJŪZ REGION OF AMMAN, JORDAN Hashem Khries, Taher Al-Gonmeen Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization, 2025 In autumn 2017, the Department of Antiquities undertook a rescue excavation in Areas A and D, located at the northern periphery of the Yājūz district within the Shafā Badrān region, north of Amman. The excavation aimed to elucidate the nature of architectural remains partially exposed above the surface, with the objective of characterising the site and its settlement dynamics. Special emphasis was placed on an ecclesiastical monument discovered during the fieldwork. The study entailed a detailed analysis of the chapel’s architectural plan, the surrounding residential structures, their architectural elements and associated material culture. Comparative assessments were conducted with analogous chapels within Yājūz, focusing on similarities in spatial organisation, construction materials and mosaic decoration. These results were situated within the broader historical context of Christian communities in the region during the Byzantine era and the subsequent transition to Islamic governance. Chronological attribution of the chapel’s construction was inferred from its architectural features and material assemblages, with ceramic typology and architectural parallels collectively indicating a sixth-century CE date.
A Rescue Excavation at the Islamic Site of Umm Zweitineh in Central Jordan, 2012 Hashem Khries, Taher Al-Gonmeen Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 2023 This paper draws on the preliminary results of the rescue excavation conducted by the Department of Antiquities at Umm Zweitineh in central Jordan in 2012. The goal of the excavation was to take urgent action regarding protecting the site as far as possible. Due to budget constraints, the excavation work lasted for only twenty days. The aim of the article is that of providing a clear regional picture of the Islamic settlement through the seventh/eighth and fourteenth centuries AD through retrieving information from the architectural remains and material culture. The architectural relics and material culture were unearthed under a dense layer of wreckage and accumulated debris because of previous construction work at the site. The accumulation deposits yielded a ceramic assembly of daily life vessels dating primarily to the Umayyad and Mamluk periods. Earlier pottery sherds belonging to the Roman and Byzantine periods have been also uncovered. Ceramic sherds from the Iron Age II sporadically appeared on topsoil. Besides the ceramic, other metal artifacts, including bronze vessels from different periods, have been unearthed. The Umayyad and Early Mamluk settlements were distinguishable because of the distinct corpus typical of both periods. Possible evidence of a religion building belonging to the Umayyad-period Christianity have been unearthed in Area B.
A Mameluke-period terracotta juglet from Umm Zweitineh, Jordan Hashem Khries, Taher al-Gonmeen Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 2022 This paper provides a preliminary but a comprehensive examination of a terracotta juglet retrieved from the Islamic site of Umm Zweitineh, in central Jordan. This article attempts to pinpoint a fresh addition to our knowledge of the Mameluke period pottery assembly known elsewhere in the Levant. Since neither coherent architectural remains were exposed nor stratigraphic sequence was discerned, however, the unearthed archaeological objects, including the juglet being studied, have not been attributed to specific contexts (e.g., rooms), or loci or strata. Due to budget constraints, there was no possibility to conduct a petrographic analysis. Instead, the authors set out to explore the fabric and decorative scheme of the juglet by the naked eye and to describe the fabric and decoration colours according to the Munsell Chart. We presented it typologically and dated it based on parallels from well-dated sites, especially Hesban, since its decorative scheme, production technique and shape were commonplace in the region of Syria–Palestine from the 12th through the 14th centuries.
Photogrammetry versus 3D scanner: producing 3D models of museums’ artifacts Hashem Mohammad Khries Collection and Curation, 2021 Purpose This paper aims to help archaeologists, museums’ curators and technicians in understanding the principle of using the photogrammetry and 3D scanner for the museum archaeological objects in a practical way by presenting specific examples for both methods. Another purpose is to evaluate the performance offered by the photogrammetry and the three-dimensional (3D) scanner device, with the aim of providing a suitable solution to the different shapes and sizes of the archaeological objects. Design/methodology/approach The author used the camera Canon EOS 1300 D for photographing and Einscan Pro 2X Plus as a 3D scanning device for several years on different kinds of objects made of various materials, including ceramic, stone, glass and metal. Findings This paper showed that both approaches create 3D models with high resolution in easy and different ways. Practical implications Handling objects and preparing them for photographing or scanning has involved a number of caveats and challenges regarding the risk of damage that the author had to bear in mind. Originality/value This paper is completely based on the author’s personal experiences of creating 3D image of various objects in the project of Documentation of Objects in the Jordanian Archaeological Museums.
Roman sarcophagi at the lower terrace of Amman Citadel Taher Al-Gonmeen, Hashem Khries Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 2020 A rock-hewn cave cut out of limestone was accidentally discovered in 2012 during road repairs and maintenance work conducted by Great Amman Municipality on the corner of the street leading to the Amman Citadel. The recommendations were to conduct a salvage excavation at the above-mentioned cave. Therefore, an immediate physical inspection was conducted in order to assess the needs of excavating and to avoid further collateral damage. The campaign for the excavation of the cave took place between 22 February and 10 March 2012. Two limestone sarcophagi from the Roman period were found in the cave. The stone coffin is one of several types of the burial customs known to the Romans whether in the Near East or in their original homeland. The social and economic conditions of the people during the Roman Period determined the quality of their tombs, the funerary rites to be held and the funerary tools accompanying them in the other life. Consequently, people belonging to poor families are deprived of the same quality of services in comparison to their rich counterparts.
