Darat al Funun renovation

The EXCAVATION

Under the sponsorship of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and in cooperation with the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, excavations at the site were conducted in 1993 under the direction of Mr. Pierre M. Bikai of the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR). The first phase of excavations was from July 5 to September 9, 1993. In this phase, the project concentrated on the church proper. In the second phase, from September 28 to November 2, 1993, areas to the west and south of the church were excavated. Subsequently, the pottery and other materials were processed and the documentation phase began. In 1994, the booklet, The Byzantine Church at Darat al Funun, in English and Arabic, and a preliminary report were published (Bikai, ShaÕer, and Fitzgerald 1994 a, b).

The SITE

The church is on Jebel al-Webdeh at the junction of Nimer ibn Adwan Street and Mallah Street it lies on a ridge of a steep slope overlooking two valleys, Wadi Saqra and Misdar al-Madhneh (Valley of the Minaret), west of Jebel al-QalaÕa. The immediate area rises in two rounded platforms from the hill, the uppermost consisting of high calcareous rock penetrated by at least four caves and a large water cistern. Three of the caves have the remains of mosaic floors: the large cave north of the church, the cave north of the apse (unexcavated), and a cave under the house to the north of the church. The church itself lies on the flat platform of the lower terrace and in front of the largest cave.