Princess Sumaya Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya, Vice Chairman of the Jordan Museum’s Board of Trustees chaired a meeting to discuss ways of preserving the archaeological site of Tal al Umayri. In a speech at the meeting at the Jordan Museum, Princess Sumaya said "We must never take for granted the archaeological heritage that we have inherited in Jordan." We live in an area of the world where humans have achieved great things over many millennia, and have left much material evidence to prove it." "Great civilizations have blossomed and withered with staggering regularity and we have sometimes been blinded to the value of their archaeology remnants. As our own, modern civilization in the wider Middle East is tested by conflict, we must be careful not to ignore the achievements and warnings of past ages," she added.
The meeting was co-organized by Sharifa Nofa BintNasser, the museum’s director and president of the Friends of Archaeology in Jordan as well as La Sierra University archaeologist Doug Clark. The event aimed to convene property owners,government and archaeological leaders as well as other stakeholders to discuss options for preserving the excavation site at Tal al Umayri that attracts archaeologists and students from around the world.
The meeting was co-sponsored by La Sierra University’s Center for Near Eastern Archaeology, The Jordan Museum, Jordan’s Department of Antiquities, the Friends of Archaeology in Jordan, and the American Center of Oriental Research in Amman.
The Princess stressed that "We share our territory with the physical remnants of human ingenuity, of creativity and of a dogged determination to survive. But these abundant material remains of lost and faded communities are also impressive reminders to us that we occupy our part of the earth, not as outright owners, but as custodians.
The Princess added, "When it comes to important archaeological sites such as the one we are discussing today, I believe that we can develop between us a range of solutions to ensure that all concerned parties are unified and satisfied that the correct procedures are being developed to protect all our interests." The Princess concluded her speech by thanking Douglas Clark, Director of the Umayri excavation project, Sharifa Nofa Nasser, Director of the Jordan Museum, and Monther Jamhawi, Director General of the Department of Antiquities, and Barbara Porter, Director of the American Center of Oriental Research in Amman, for their dedication to this vital mission to save Tall al’Umayri. The Princess commended them all for their dedication to preserving and securing our national and global heritage emphasizing that all such efforts should lead to achieving our ultimate goal in the creation and protection of an archaeological park that would be of international significance.
The Jordan Museum Director Sharifa Nofah bint Nasser said that the noble mission of the museum is to provide visitors with the story of Jordan, and the preservation of the national heritage, noting that the museum will provide an opportunity for students to conduct research on the history and heritage of the nation .
The Mayor of Amman HE Akel Biltaji noted the importance of this vital project, stating that it would be an archaeological park adding to the tourism sites in Jordan.
Source: Petra