Calvin University announces a celebration on November 18, 2024 to honor a milestone in cultural heritage and international collaboration. The recent inscription of the archaeological site at Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan, to the UNESCO World Heritage List is a testament to a fruitful partnership between the Department of Antiquities of Jordan and Calvin faculty, including the late Dr. Bert de Vries and Dr. Darrell Rohl. For over half a century, the cooperation between these Jordanian and U.S. partners has fostered a deep bond between Calvin University and the people of Jordan.

This day-long event will commemorate this remarkable achievement and allow Calvin University to congratulate the Jordanian people and thank the many partners involved in this 50-year journey. It will showcase the interdisciplinary research that has been a hallmark of the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project and reaffirm Calvin's commitment to continuing this legacy.

The day of celebration will embody the collaborative spirit that has been the cornerstone of the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project. It will highlight partnership, perseverance, and the shared commitment to preserving our global heritage for future generations. The event will feature public presentations on the Project’s diverse research initiatives, followed by a ceremony where Calvin officials and distinguished guests will discuss the significance of Umm Al-Jimāl's contribution to world heritage. The day will conclude with a reception, accompanied by a visual exhibit that brings to life the rich history of Umm Al-Jimāl through artifacts and interactive displays.

The Umm Al-Jimāl Story

The history of Umm Al-Jimāl, a site of great archaeological and cultural importance, is as rich and layered as the ruins that stand there today. Located in northern Jordan, Umm Al-Jimāl was first settled as a rural village in the first century A.D., during the Nabataean era. It grew into a bustling community, especially during the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, as evidenced by the substantial ruins that remain visible above ground today.

For over 50 years, the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project, working alongside the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, has worked to uncover the beauty and the rich history of this site. Initiated by the late Dr. Bert de Vries in 1972, this work has been continued by Dr. Darrell Rohl since 2018. Their efforts, in collaboration with the local community and international partners, have helped to map and maintain the ruins and make them more accessible and understandable to the world.

The site itself tells a story of a community that thrived in a semi-arid region, thanks to sophisticated water systems. The ruins of Umm Al-Jimāl include residential buildings, churches, and barracks, all constructed from the region’s characteristic black basalt. The site was a prominent agricultural town during the Late Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods, and it continues to play an important role in the daily lives of the community that surrounds it. Much of the recent work carried out by the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project has focused on local community development that leverages the ancient remains to address current needs, including water management, employment opportunities, education, and economic development.

The UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Umm Al-Jimāl, announced in July 2024, recognizes the site's cultural significance and the decades of work devoted to its study and preservation. This recognition not only honors the past but paves the way for future research and conservation efforts, ensuring that the history and lessons of Umm Al-Jimāl continue to be shared and celebrated. The Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project team, led by Dr. Darrell Rohl, Dr. Elisabeth Osinga, and Mrs. Jenna de Vries Morton, spearheaded the development of the UNESCO Nomination Document and Site Management Plan on behalf of the Jordanian government and under the direction of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan.

The Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project and its partnership with Jordanian stakeholders stand as testament to the power of perseverance, collaboration, and the enduring quest for knowledge, and offer bright hope for the future of global heritage management and community development.

Event Agenda

All Day: Visual exhibit of pottery and artifacts – Fireside Room

10:30 a.m.: OPENING REMARKS (President Greg Elzinga) – Board Room

11:00 a.m.: RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS (A) – Board Room
(Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies, Environmental Sustainability, Geology/GIS)

• Brian Cortez (California State University) – 3D Photogrammetry and Spatial Analysis from Archival Aerial Imagery
• Dr. Cecilia Chisdock (University of Notre Dame) – Insights into Ancient Juvenile Life from Burials at Umm Al-Jimāl
• Jeff DeKock (Open Hand Studios) – From Ruins to Resilience: The Ripple Effects of Research

12:00 p.m.: LUNCH (by invitation only)

1:00 p.m.: RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS (B) – Board Room
(Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies, Environmental Sustainability, Geology/GIS)

• Dana ElFirraj and Ahmad Al-Adamat (Municipality of Umm Al-Jimāl) – Cultural Heritage and Local Government: The Umm Al-Jimāl Municipality's Cultural Heritage Unit
• Muaffaq Hazza (University of Bonn) – From a Guffah Boy to an Archaeologist: Archaeology and Community at Umm Al-Jimāl
• Samar Erman (Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project) – Supporting Tourism and Heritage by Engaging in the Local Community
• Leena Al-Bakkar (Department of Antiquities of Jordan) – Managing Umm Al-Jimāl: The Role of the Department of Antiquities

2:30 p.m.: PANEL DISCUSSION (moderated by Dr. Darrell Rohl) – Board Room

3:30 p.m.: COFFEE BREAK – Fireside Room

4:00 p.m.: KEYNOTE ADDRESS: "Cultural Heritage, International Collaboration, and Peace" (Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project team co-directors: Darrell Rohl, Elizabeth Osinga, & Jenna de Vries Morton) – Great Hall

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: RECEPTION – Great Hall

• 5:15 p.m. – Recognition of Umm Al-Jimal UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation
• 5:45 p.m. – Closing Remarks

6:30 p.m.: DIGNITARIES DINNER (by separate invitation) – De Wit Manor

VIP Invitees

Calvin University is honored to invite a distinguished group of VIPs for the upcoming event celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the archaeological site at Umm Al-Jimāl. The President of Calvin University will personally invite the following individuals to the event:

• Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President and Director of ICOMOS Jordan and the Petra National Trust, for her invaluable contributions to cultural heritage preservation.
• Her Excellency Dina Kawar, Jordanian Ambassador to the U.S.A., whose diplomatic efforts have strengthened Jordanian-American relations.
• His Excellency Omar Razzas, former Prime Minister of Jordan and Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Middle East Initiative, for his insights into regional development and heritage management.
• Her Excellency Lina Mazhar Annab, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, in recognition of her leadership in promoting Jordan's rich cultural and historical heritage, and for her long-standing support of the Calvin University Umm Al-Jimal Archaeological Project during her tenures as Minister.
• His Excellency Fadi Bala'awi, General Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Director-General of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, whose work has been pivotal in the preservation of Jordan's archaeological treasures, including leading the team that developed Umm Al-Jimāl’s final UNESCO nomination.
• His Excellency Hasan Alrhaibeh, Mayor of the New Umm Al-Jimal Municipality, representing the local community that has been integral to the site's research and conservation.
• Dr. Abel Al Razzaq Al-Arabiyat, Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, whose efforts have showcased Jordan as a destination of historical and cultural significance.
• Architects Dana ElFarraj and Ahmad Al-Adamat, from the New Umm Al-Jimal Municipality Cultural Heritage Office, for their architectural expertise in heritage conservation.
• Ms. Samar Erman Al-Sroor, Local Project Lead for the Umm Al-Jimal Archaeological Project, whose leadership has been crucial in the project's success.
• Mr. Muaffaq Hazza, Umm Al-Jimal Archaeological Project member and PhD Candidate at the University of Bonn, for his academic contributions to the project and as the project’s longest-serving local member.
• Mrs. Lena AlBakkar, Director of Museums at the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, for her role in curating Jordan's historical narratives.
• The Honorable Edward "Skip" Ghnem, Former US Ambassador to Jordan and Professor Emeritus, for his diplomatic service and academic perspective on international relations.
• Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman, Executive Director of the American Center of Research (ACOR), for his leadership in fostering research collaborations.
• The Honorable Debbie Dingell and Hilary Scholten, Members of Congress, for their support of international exchange and foreign affairs.

These invitations reflect Calvin University's deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have led to the recognition of Umm Al-Jimal's global significance and the university's commitment to fostering enduring partnerships.