Following the address of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, Rome “La Sapienza” Expedition foresees a “long duration” Pilot Project, which includes the excavation of the site and its tourist valorization trough the creation of an Archaeological Park.

As regards the strictly scientific aims, these are the following:

-         study of cultural changes, from the point of view of Khirbet al-Batrawy, one of the examples of the rise of the urban culture in Jordan , and its location in the general framework of the dawn of urban civilization in the ancient Near East;

-         investigation of economic and social differences in the settlement development of the Upper Wadi Zarqa, the steppe and the basalt desert, exemplifying adaptation to different environments of urban models and relationships between natural resources and urban features;

-         archaeological periodization by means of stratigraphy and materials study;

-         study of relationships between the site and the surrounding area (namely study of the ancient road-network);

-         investigation of urban planning and functional hierarchy of areas within the city;

-         study of processes of socio-economical transformation, namely flints, metals and pottery technology, changes in animal husbandry and developments of agriculture;

-         examination of patterns of development of cultural interaction through the study of material culture related to handicraft and trade (import/export).

 The Project is also aimed at the identification of important cultural resources to be re-evaluated for tourist exploitation, as always accomplished by Rome “La Sapienza” in previous experiences. Major buildings or urban features of the involved sites will be fully restored, and the creation of an Archaeological Park (including the area of the dismantled quarry) started.

 

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