Jordan 2011

Umm Qays is the present site of an ancient town, Gadara, which changed hands between Greeks, Syrians, Romans, Jews, and finally Arab Muslims before being destroyed by an earthquake in the eighth century. From Umm Qays on a clear day one can see Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, while standing in Jordan.  

Ajlun Castle was built by the Muslims in the eleventh century for defense against local Bedouins as well as crusaders. Despite earthquakes twice over the last two centuries, much of the castle is accessible to visitors, and would be especially interesting to those with knowledge of European fortifications of the same period.  

Mount Nebo is where Moses saw the land of Israel. He’s buried somewhere in this area, but the exact whereabouts are unknown.  

Petra is the famous ancient city carved from the sandstone canyons. Much of the city can be seen today, but there are still many questions about Petra’s decline: possibly due to shifting commerce, possible ecological factors? The characteristics of sandstone work both in its favor and against it. Sandstone is relatively easy to manipulate, but also very subject to forces of nature such as wind and water. Petra is likely over-visited today, but fortunately the site is vast.