Examining Neolithic Building and Activity Areas through Historic Cultural Heritage in Jordan: A Combined Ethnographic, Phytolith and Geochemical Investigation

Abstract

The INEA project is an ethnoarchaeological and scientific exploration of recently abandoned traditional mud and stone houses in Jordan. It uses ethnographic investigation, geochemistry and microscopic plant remains (silica phytoliths) to explore and identify building construction and daily activities that took place at the village of Al Ma’tan in the At Tafila governorate. The project compares these results with those from similarly constructed and inhabited Neolithic sites, such as ‘Ain Ghazal and Wadi Faynan 16. During fieldwork, two films were produced to promote tourism in southern Jordan and the study of archaeology as part of university curricula. While the scientific results are important and informative for understanding the human past, interactions with local organizations and heritage practitioners have encouraged the team to work collaboratively with partners to develop conservation of the recent rural heritage of Jordan too.