Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The research presented in this thesis investigated the pottery assemblage of the Jebel Qurma region in the Black Desert (harra), north-eastern Jordan. The main reason for studying the pottery of...Show moreThe research presented in this thesis investigated the pottery assemblage of the Jebel Qurma region in the Black Desert (harra), north-eastern Jordan. The main reason for studying the pottery of this region was that no pottery studies of this region and the harra as a whole existed. Therefore, there existed a significant gap in the knowledge of this region. This was problematic for several reasons. First of all, pottery was one of the best ways of dating occupation in this area, since stratigraphic sequences are nearly absent. Additionally, pottery research in this region had the potential of illuminating the ties of this region, and the harra as a whole, to developments on its fringes and beyond. Four main aspects of the pottery were researched: technology, morphology, date and distribution. The technology and morphology were analysed following fabrics groups in which further variation was investigated. The dates of the pottery was researched using published literature on the dated pottery of other sites, in order to find parallels. The distribution was analysed according to numerous variables, including amounts (and weight), fabric, distance to water, visual prominence, Hillslope Point Classification, accessibility and chronology. The analyses of these aspects have led to the following conclusions: (1) The Jebel Qurma pottery assemblage is characterized by a large variety in both technological and morphological aspects, but mainly features rather coarse and simply-shaped vessels; (2) pottery was introduced in the region during the Early to Middle Bronze Age, disappears after this period and reappears in the Roman period, after which it continues to be in use up until the present; (3) the majority of the pottery was most likely used for domestic purposes, i.e. cooking, serving and short-term storage and (4) the pottery was used throughout the entire research area, but was concentrated on a few sites with favourable locations for settling that saw a lot of reuse through time. Furthermore, the research has shown that long-distance (trade) networks must have existed for pottery to appear in the harra, since most pottery came from sites located far away from the Jebel Qurma region. All in all, the research presented in this paper has increased our understanding of the pottery of the harra, as well as shown that the harra was not an isolated region, but incorporated into networks of exchange which lead to the spread of pottery to and throughout this region.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The research presented in this RMA thesis investigates multiple facets of wusūm petroglyphs from the Jebel Qurma region in northeastern Jordan. Wusūm form a particular system of markings used by...Show moreThe research presented in this RMA thesis investigates multiple facets of wusūm petroglyphs from the Jebel Qurma region in northeastern Jordan. Wusūm form a particular system of markings used by largely mobile pastoralist groups throughout the Near East, and are commonly encountered during archaeological surveys. Despite their ubiquity in archaeological contexts, our current understanding of wusūm in general is extremely limited. The rich and well-documented Jebel Qurma dataset, therefore, offers a timely opportunity to investigate the phenomenon of wusūm from a much-needed holistic perspective. Bringing together a multitude of relevant primary sources, theoretical considerations, and archaeological data for the first time, this thesis aims at providing a first-ever, comprehensive perspective on the phenomenon of wusūm marking systems in the Near East.Show less
Safaitic rock art of the Jebel Qurma region, located in the Jordan’s Black Desert, was carved by the pastoralist societies that inhabited it. These societies also carved Safaitic inscriptions in...Show moreSafaitic rock art of the Jebel Qurma region, located in the Jordan’s Black Desert, was carved by the pastoralist societies that inhabited it. These societies also carved Safaitic inscriptions in the basalt boulders, which have been traditionally dated between the 1st century BC and the 4th Century AD. This rock art, unlike the Safaitic inscriptions, has not been studied in depth. In this Master thesis I aim to study the different purposes of carving hunting scenes by these pastoralist societies. Thus, I analyse the different motifs (zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, geometric and astromorphic motifs) that made up these scenes. I also analyse two different types of hunting: individual hunting and collective hunting. The techniques that were used to carve these petroglyphs are also analysed. I will also pay attention the size of the figures and their orientation within the basalt boulders. Finally, I will mention the sites in which hunting scenes have been recorded in the Jebel Qurma region. With this information, I will argue that these hunting scenes did not represent real events but ancestral histories that might have come from the oral tradition of the pastoralist societies. I also argue that some of these scenes show hunting for sport in which the anthropomorphic figures represent values related to bravery and strength.Show less
