Region’s Distinct Geometric Motifs May Have Originated at Ummayad Palace

 AMMAN — Since research about the site was published in the 1950s, an Ummayad palace near Jericho has attracted historians of Islamic art, according a professor of art history.

Meet the UJ Student Striving to ‘Break Stereotypes’ about Disabilities

 AMMAN — For Hasan Tayem, the first time he ran long-distance remains a vivid memory. One afternoon, whilst he was in the seventh grade, his PE teacher took his class to a running track. Though nervous at first, he said it would be the start of a life-long love affair.

Preparations for Dead Sea Ultra Marathon Commence in Amman

 AMMAN — Preparations have recently started at Run Jordan for the 25th LG Dead Sea Ultra Marathon, which will take place on April 12, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

QAIA Records 6.9% Rise in January Flights

 AMMAN — A total of 6,063 flights passed through Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in January, marking a 6.9 per cent increase in aircraft movement, compared with the same month of 2018, the Airport International Group (AIG) said on Wednesday.

Murayghat Dolmen Site near Madaba May Have Had Ritualistic Purpose

 AMMAN — For some, Murayghat, a site located 3km southwest of Madaba, represents a “Jordanian Stonehenge”, with over 100 dolmens scattered throughout the countryside.

Amman to Host Third FinTech Summit in June

 AMMAN — The Moments INNOVATION platform is scheduled to hold the third edition of the FinTech summit in the Kingdom in June, under the theme: “The future of banks and financial institutions in the age of modern technologies”.

Jordan Finds Another Potential Tourist Attraction After MENA Tour Passes Through Aqaba

 AQABA — Players from around the world on Monday wrapped up their “Journey to Jordan” golf tournament in the Kingdom’s port city.

‘Many Theories but Few Answers’ Surround Glass Disk Found in Shobak — Scholar

 AMMAN — A glass disk fragment found in Shobak poses many questions about the item’s origin and whether it was a part of an “Egyptian merchant set of glass weights”, or was produced in Damascus, according to an Italian scholar.

Petra’s Treasury to Light up in Orange, Blue to Mark World Cancer Day

 AMMAN — Petra’s ancient Treasury on Monday will light up in orange and blue to show solidarity with cancer patients and victims around the globe, marking World Cancer Day, on February 4.

Early Bronze Age Inhabitants Faced Challenges World Still Grapples with Today

 AMMAN — Scholars researching the Early Bronze Age (EBA) (2000–1500BC) in the region say people during this period likely faced some of the same challenges the world faces today.

Nabataean Culture Lived on Long After Kingdom’s Disappearance

 AMMAN — The evidence gathered from Petra, the Negev Desert and Dead Sea region proved the presence of Nabataean culture long after 2nd century AD and Roman annexation of the Nabataean Kingdom.

Prince Hassan Highlights ‘Commonalities’ of Cultures, Praises Jerusalem Preservation Efforts

 AMMAN — The study of antiquities and history helps remind us all that we are one, HRH Prince Hassan said on Saturday.

Exhibition Showcasing Jordan Trail Launches in Amman

 AMMAN — Under the patronage of HRH Prince Raad, an exhibition recently launched to showcase the Jordan Trail through the photography and paintings of artists, according to a joint statement sent to The Jordan Times.

‘Levant’s Transition to Islamic Rule Was Gradual for Majority of Population’

 AMMAN — The transition from the Byzantine to Early Islamic period was drastic when looks at only historical literary sources, claimed a French scholar from the University of Paris-Panthéon-Sorbonne.

Archaeologists Find Clues for ‘Important’ Ayyubid Settlement

 AMMAN — Researchers are digging up hints of an important Ayyubid copper production site in Wadi Al Ghuwaybi, an American anthropological archaeologist said.

Ajloun Cable Car Project Needed to ‘Put City Back on Map’ — Stakeholder

 AMMAN — Introducing cable cars in the city of Ajloun has been discussed by the Jordan Investment Committee (JIC) repeatedly since 2015, and will finally be funded and built this year, according to a report made available to The Jordan Times.

Population Boom Points to Nabataean Cultivation of ‘Inhospitable’ Southern Jordan

 AMMAN — A population boom that took place during a period of Nabataean, Roman and Byzantine rule must have been caused by multiple factors including surprisingly — cultivation, an associate professor from the US has recently said.

German Research Team Incorporates Local Community in Preservation

 AMMAN — An exhibition organised for the Atharafoqa area, in the northern part of Umm Qais, was the crown jewel of seven years of cooperation between a German research team and the local community.

‘Four More Petra Hotels to Benefit from Energy-Saving Project’

 AMMAN — The Energy Ministry on Wednesday signed agreements, under the electricity rationalisation project, to support four hotels in Petra at a total cost of JD303,000.

GAM Food Truck Project Set to Begin with 30-50 Assigned Locations

 AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality’s (GAM) new food truck project will begin operation on January 2019, with 30-50 new locations being allocated for trucks, according to GAM Spokesperson Mazen Farrajeen.

‘Jordan Has Managed to Reserve Seat on Global Map of Film Destinations’

 AMMAN — Jordan’s dazzling locations have transformed it into one of the main hubs for filmmakers as the film industry’s economic contribution to the Kingdom over the last 10 years is estimated at JD238 million.

Burqu Nature Reserve to Host Kingdom’s First Falconry Training Centre

 AMMAN — Jordan is poised to host its first falconry training centre at the newly-designated Burqu Nature Reserve in the Kingdom’s eastern desert, according to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).

Extinct Paleolithic Marshes Near Azraq Offer Scientists Clues to Jordan’s Ancient History

 AMMAN — Former marshes near Azraq and their "assemblages of stone tools" may offer some clues about the Paleolithic period in Jordan,  an American scholar said in an interview with The Jordan Times.

Royal Jordanian Celebrates 55th Anniversary

 AMMAN — Royal Jordanian (RJ) celebrated its 55th anniversary on Wednesday with a performance by the Jordanian Army Band and a ceremony marking the company’s establishment.

Jordanian-American Author Realises Dream of Publishing Novel

 AMMAN — When Natasha Twal-Tynes, a former reporter for The Jordan Times, left the country 13 years ago to live in the United States, she never put aside her “dream” of writing a novel.

UJ Professor Highlights Khirbet Yajuz Discoveries

 AMMAN — A fish-shaped glass vessel from the Byzantine period was just one of many significant discoveries found at Khirbet Yajuz, some 11km north of Amman.

Petra Sees More Visitors in November as Hotels Cite 70% Rise in Occupancy Rates

 AMMAN — This year saw the "best" November in the history of Petra in terms of number of visitors, according to officials.

19th National Olive Festival Kicks Off

 AMMAN — The 19th National Olives Festival kicked off on Wednesday allowing farmers to showcase their olives and other rural products.

60 Years Since, Jerash’s Oldest Hummus Restaurant Still Serves the Ancient City

 JERASH — Having zero additives is the secret behind the “unbeatable” taste of hummus and broad bean dishes, or foul, served at the Smadi Restaurant in the northern Jordanian city of Jerash, the owner said, and customers seconded that. 

Roman Ruins of Jerash

 The ruined city of Jerash is Jordan s largest and most interesting Roman site, and a major tourist drawcard. Its imposing ceremonial gates, colonnaded avenues, temples and theatres all speak to the time when this was an important imperial centre. Even the most casual fan of archaeology will enjoy a half-day at the site – but take a hat and sunscreen in the warmer months, as the exposed ruins can be very hot to explore.

An Exploding Meteor May Have Wiped Out Ancient Dead Sea Communities

 DENVER — A superheated blast from the skies obliterated cities and farming settlements north of the Dead Sea around 3,700 years ago, preliminary findings suggest.

Bird Watching in Aqaba: Three-Way Partnership Adds New Attraction to Tourism Map

 AMMAN — When Aqaba-based Ayla Oasis planners perfected the concept of sustainability as an integral component of the mega development project, they foresaw every possible positive outcome of such integration, executives said. Except for one thing that came as a bonus, not only for the luxurious residential and commercial estate, but also for Aqaba and Jordan. 

Scholar explores Urbanisation, Formation of Arab Communities in Ancient Times

 AMMAN — Urbanisation and the formation of Arab communities during the late Roman and the Byzantine times is “a complex question” that would receive multiple responses, said an American historian.

More Efforts Needed to Preserve Jordan’s Cultural Heritage — Scholar

 AMMAN — Cultural heritage is not limited to monuments and collections of objects, but also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed onto our descendants, a Jordanian scholar said.

Scholar Encourages Rehabilitation of ‘Overlooked’ Northeastern Sites

 AMMAN — The northeastern part of Jordan is one of the most overlooked regions in terms of touristic offers across the country, despite the existence of many archaeological sites, a Swiss archaeologist and architect remarked, citing the lack of tour operators’ attraction towards Mafraq Governorate.

Italian Athlete Runs from Dead Sea to Aqaba in Support of Environment

 AMMAN — Beside the renowned historical and nature destinations attracting tourists to Jordan, Wadi Araba stands as a multi-themed trail for desert running challenges.

Tourism Sector Shows Healthy Signs in Third Quarter this Year

 AMMAN — The number of tourists grew by 7.1 per cent in the third quarter this year, while the increase was 7.8 per cent in the number of overnight visitors. 

‘Tourism Income Reaches $3.6 Billion by End of August

 AMMAN — Tourism revenues have increased by 15.4 per cent at the end of August 2018, reaching $3.6 billion (some JD2.6 billion), compared to around $3.1 billion registered in the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) on Monday.

Unearthed Graeco-Roman Statues Unveiled in Jerash

 Jerash — After years of meticulous work, a French archaeological team that has been excavating the eastern Roman baths in Jerash, unearthed several intact sculptures from the Graeco-Roman period.

Ryanair Flight from Rome Reaches Aqaba

 AMMAN — A low-cost Ryanair plane flying from Rome on Tuesday landed at the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, the first of many direct flights reaching the port city from Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and Germany.

Salon Displays Works of 11 ‘Very Different’ Emerging Artists

 AMMAN — A varied selection of artworks created by 11 local emerging artists last week was presented to the public, as part of the Bayt Al Graphic’s first salon show held in Jacaranda Images art gallery in Jabal Amman.

Meet the Man Living in a Lost City Carved in Stone

 Mofleh Bdoul grew up in the ancient city of Petra, scrambling up the rocky slopes along with herds of goats amid the ruins of tombs and temples.

Programme Aims to Map Endangered Cultural Sites Through Online Database

 AMMAN — “Often, we are asked a question: ‘Why should we bother with cultural heritage while there are humanitarian crises, like in Syria?’” Director of Endangered Archaeology of Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) Robert Bewley said on Sunday.

Lonely Planet Lists Jordan Among World’s Top 10 Destinations

 AMMAN — Jordan was recently placed among the list of top countries to be visited in 2019 by Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” guide.

Cheap Flights From Europe to Amman, Aqaba Announced

 AMMAN — European low-cost carriers Ryanair, EasyJet and Norwegian Airlines will start flights from several European cities to Amman and Aqaba as of November 1, an official said on Tuesday.

1st International Date Festival Opened

 AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Ibrahim Shahahdeh on Sunday inaugurated the 1st international date festival, organised by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordan Dates Association (JODA) in cooperation with concerned international organisations.

Jordan Trail Association to Receive World Tourism Award

 AMMAN — The 2018 World Tourism Awards will be presented to the Jordan Trail Association, alongside two other winners on November 5, as part of the opening day of World Travel Market London, according to a statement by World Tourism Awards.

30 Emerging Artists Display Work at New Khalda Gallery

 AMMAN — The works of 30 emerging Jordanian artists on Saturday was inaugurated at the JODAR Artistry community art space, as part of a unique creative event held under the patronage of HRH Princess Alia.