Questioning Transjordan’s Historic Desertification: A Critical Review of the Paradigm of ‘Empty Lands’ (original) (raw)
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In W. Ward (ed.), The Socio-Economic History and Material Culture of the Roman and Byzantine East: Essays in Honour of S. Thomas Parker. Gorgias Press LLC, New Jersey, 349-382., 2017
The aim of this archaeobotanical study is to gain an understanding of how population increase affected the scale of agricultural production during the Nabataean, Roman and Byzantine periods in the arid regions of southern Jordan. The examination of archaeobotanical material from the sites of Petra, Humayma, Bir Madhkur, Aila and 'Ayn Gharandal provide evidence of local agricultural in the form of cereal grains, chaff and associated weed species. These analyses have identified at least two varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum, T. aestivo-compactum and cf. T. durum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale sp.) and millet (Setaria sp.), as well as several legumes, such as lentils (Lens culinaris), chick pea (Cicer arietinum) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilla). There is also considerable evidence in the assemblages of crop by-products (e.g. chaff, culm and rachis segments) and weeds specific to crop fields (e.g. Lolium temulentum, Chenopodium album, Malva sp. and Medicago sp.), which supports the likelihood of successful local agricultural in this arid region occurring in antiquity. The environmental conditions of the southern desert and highland regions of southern Jordan that encompasses the study sites has not changed significantly since the Nabataean, Roman and Byzantine periods and yet the sites are either surrounded by ancient agricultural fields or show likely evidence of local production (e.g. Aila and 'Ayn Gharandal). It appears that water management in antiquity in southern Jordan was more advanced than is currently recognized since there is a lack of modern cereal agriculture in these regions. The results of this study aid in illuminating the changes to the landscape of southern Jordan brought about by local agricultural production that would have been necessary to support a rise in population brought about by an increase in Roman military presence during the Roman/ period, as well as the production potential of dry-land agricultural techniques in such arid environments. 1 With appreciation and gratitude I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement Tom has generously given to me over the years. He is not only a wonderful mentor and colleague but also a true friend. I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from him and work with him in the field. Tom has always been gracious with both praise and constructive criticism, always making me strive to do better, which I am trying to perfect with my own students. And finally, when all else fails I could always manage to twist his arm for a pop.
Abandonment of the Decapolis Region in Northern Jordan – Forced by Environmental Change?
The Decapolis region in Northern Jordan flourished during the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad period, leading to the construction of great monuments. They are very well preserved, because the region was abandoned in the 10th century AD and no significant resettlement took place. Earthquakes, diseases and political reasons are in general thought to be responsible for this development. However, rain-fed agriculture was the economic basis of the Decapolis cities, and only a surplus in production made their wealth possible. Thus environmental change, caused by mismanagement or climate change, could have been responsible for the abandonment of the area. Historical land use reconstruction and soil analysis are well-suited to prove environmental changes. Mismanagement should have left erosion on the plateau and colluvial substrates in the valleys, while a change of climate should be detectable in a differentiated soil genesis and indirectly by assessment of agricultural productivity of land use change. The analysis of the land use pattern and the study of soils at the Decapolis city of Abila indicate that a climate change had great influence in the abandonment of the site. In this context land use, soil development and local climate are important interrelated site factors. r
Journal of Arid Environments, 2019
Archaeological studies typically describe arid areas as extremely unpleasant areas for human occupation and use. Without suggesting that arid areas are pleasant places, however, this paper provides a reassessment of the meaning of aridity for an area showing a vast amount of evidence of (past) human activities. Several climatic proxy data suggest that at the transition between the late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age (around c. 1300-1100 BC) the southern Levant witnessed more arid conditions, while after 1100 BC relatively moist conditions would have prevailed. In drylands, small changes in temperature and water availability can have large effects on subsistence options. Building on cooperation between an archaeologist and a water scholar, this paper offers an approach to study how people in the past were able to craft a livelihood in the arid environments in the southern Levant and elsewhere. Focusing on the Zerqa area, the paper l explores the potential of this cooperation by studying effects of climatic changes at the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age through a modelling approach. Changes in temperature and moisture availability were simulated, showing that increased aridity could have been met by either naturally available water (especially groundwater) or artificially added water (although the timing appears to be crucial). While the model approach under discussion offers an approximation of the past, it shows the potential impact of climatic changes on the subsistence of past communities. It shows that details can mean the difference between survival or collapse. Highlights-Modelling provides boundaries for thinking about ancient resilience-Rainfed crop yields could be sustained with irrigation, even in the frequent dry years-Increasing aridity might have been a trigger for expanding the irrigation system-The Zerqa Triangle was affected by the LBA crisis, yet continuity is visible as well-Aridity did not necessarily bring crisis, even in arid areas like the Zerqa Triangle
Settlement Patterns in the Wadi Arabah and the Adjacent Desert Areas: A View from the Eilat Region
The desert environment is usually considered inhospitable, and archaeological remains are often modest and less impressive than in other regions. Accordingly, scholars have often marginalised desert cultures and their role in the history of the ancient Near East. The purpose of this article is to show that desert remains are often misconstrued, that they actually represent richer cultural complexes than have been commonly accepted, and the current view of desert history requires re-evaluation. The discussion focuses on the periods from Late Neolithic to the end of Early Bronze Age, i.e. the sixth-third millennia BC. 1
The Fringes of the Arid Regions: Prehistoric Settlement Development in Central Jordan
It has been noticed that prehistoric research in Jordan has been rapidly increasing during the last thirty years. The large number of results of archaeological survey, sounding site and regional field projects reflect this. The results of these activities are published in preliminary or final reports. During the past 20 years several major publications devoted only to the discussion of the prehistory of Jordan have been published.1 In addition a large number of PhD and MA theses discussing major aspects of the prehistory of Jordan have been submitted to many national and international institutions. Comprehensive studies directed towards understanding the prehistory of Jordan started only during the second half of the 1970 s of the twentieth century. However, a survey of the prehistoric research in Jordan reveals a marked increase in the number of projects over the last decades. They are widely distributed and represent time frames ranging from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Chalcolithic. Unfortunately, only a few of these projects have reached final publications, while many are still underway. However, the published preliminary results may assist researchers in understanding the differences in the settlement patterns through all the prehistoric periods, and from one region to another in Jordan. This presentation will concentrate only on studying the prehistory of the fringes of central Jordan
The desert environment is usually considered inhospitable, and archaeological remains are often modest and less impressive than in other regions. Accordingly, scholars have often marginalised desert cultures and their role in the history of the ancient Near East. The purpose of this article is to show that desert remains are often misconstrued, that they actually represent richer cultural complexes than have been commonly accepted, and the current view of desert history requires re-evaluation. The discussion focuses on the periods from Late Neolithic to the end of Early Bronze Age, i.e. the sixth-third millennia BC. 1