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The Royal
Scientific Society (RSS) and the Department of Antiquities (DoA) signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 5, 2005 to restore the
ancient town of Jawa, 150km northeast of Amman.
This MOU is in line with RSS’ interest in preserving the historical and
cultural heritage aiming at increasing Jordan’s national income. RSS had
earlier prepared a primary study to restore Jawa as a place of human
heritage since it goes back the Bronze Age, i.e. about 6,000 years ago.
The study was presented to the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) to fund the project.
Restoration of the water harvesting system at Jawa is one of the main
aims of the project. The deflection dams at Wadi Rajil, the canals and
the pools will be restored in the style and technique of the Jawaites
and with the same or similar materials. In fact the main goal of the
project is educational--learning lessons from old civilizations
surviving and flourishing in arid zones, including their solutions to
water supply and demand problems, such as water harvesting on the one
hand and the division of supply between domestic, livestock and
irrigation on the other. This model maybe educational to all countries
and nations in arid zones particularly those in the Middle East and
North Africa region. Moreover, the project will have other invaluable
goals, namely preservation of human heritage, promotion of tourism,
preservation of the remnants of nomadic “bedouin” culture, and
alleviation of poverty of the local nomadic population. The immediate
beneficiaries of Jawa restoration project are the local inhabitants
around Jawa, particularly the remnants of nomadic bedouins.
Under the terms of the MOU, RSS will run the entire project, supervise
work, prepare technical studies and tender documents and compile
progress reports for both the DoA and the USAID. Moreover, RSS will
conduct a feasibility study of the project and provide needed technical
assistance for its implementation.
The MOU was signed by RSS President Dr. Sa’ad Hijazi, DoA Director
General Mr. Fawaz Khreisha and, Director of USAID Water Resources and
Environment Office Mr. Jim Franskiavitsh as a witness.
Upon signing the MOU, Dr. Hijazi expressed RSS’ interest in further
bolstering cooperation with the DoA and extended his appreciation to the
USAID for supporting the project. He added that preserving our cultural
heritage is fundamental to preserving Jordan economy. He also noted that
RSS is proud to take part in preserving Jordan’s ruins.
On his part, Mr. Khreisha extended his thanks to the USAID for
supporting the project noting that it is one of the most important
projects at present. He lauded RSS accumulated expertise, which helps in
carrying it out efficiently.
Mr. Franskiavitsh said that this is a very important project for its
contribution to introducing Jawa, this very important city, to the
public.
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