Surveying and Drawing in Archaeology

Author: Ali al-Omari
Publisher: Deanship of Scientific Research and Higher Studies, Yarmouk University
2012

Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Author: Jodi Magness
Arabic translation: Ekhlas al-Qananwah
Publisher: The Dead Sea Scrolls Project, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University
2012
 ISBN: 978-9957-474-08-9

Studies In The Dead Sea Scrolls

The proceedings of the Dead Sea Scrolls Seminar held at Jordan University, April 12th 2009 

Edited by: Omar al-Ghul (in Arabic)
Introduced by: Mohammed Adnan al-Bakhit
Publisher: Jordanian Dead Sea Scrolls Committee – Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, The Dead Sea Scrolls Project, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology – Yarmouk University 
2012. 
ISBN: 978-9957-474-09-6.

The First Part: the Dead Sea Scrolls Seminar held at Jordan University on April 12th 2009:
-    The Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Judaism – by Mladen Popovic.
-    The Palestine Archaeological Museum and the Dead Sea Scrolls in the War of June 1967 – by Asim al-Barghuthi.
-    The Dead Sea Scrolls Jar – by Zeidan Kafafi.
-    Potential Anthropological Contributions in the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls from a Comparative Perspective – by Muhanna Haddad.
Second Part: Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls:
-    Hebrew Bibles, Greek Bibles, Syriac Bibles– by Gill Dorival.
-    Introduction to the Study of Old and New Testament Apocrypha – by Musa Deeb Khouri.
-    The Dead Sea Scrolls: Another Approach – by Afaf Zeyadeh.

Ya'mun: An Archaeological Site in Northern Jordan

Edited by: Mahmoud el-Najjar
Publisher: Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University 
2011. 

The book was edited by late Prof. Mahmoud el-Najjar from the Department of Anthropology, Yarmouk University. As the title implies, the book entails the archaeology and anthropology of the archaeological site Ya'mun in northern Jordan in 15 chapters; the chapters entail three major topics: the archaeology of the site, people’s biology, and artifacts. According to the various chapters of the book, the site was first inhabited during the Early Bronze Age and witnessed continuous occupation until modern times. It is one of the huge sites in northern Jordan that revealed a number of well-preserved monuments, including a mosaic-floor church, wine presses, dwelling structures and tombs. The site documents the Egyptian rule over the area during the Bronze Ages as evidenced by the recovery of many Egyptian artifacts such as pottery, seals and scarabs. Ya'mun was very sensitive to climate variability, where a change in subsistence economy was noticed by the end of the Middle Bronze Age coupled with a change in dwelling patterns. 
The chapter on the biology of the people throughout the period of occupation points to a people who were probably healthy and enjoyed the site is prosperity especially during late antiquity. Putting Ya'mun in the general economic context relative to similar sites in northern Jordan, the site was not economically stagnated, which opposes the historians’ beliefs on the devastated economy during late antiquity. Besides being informative archaeologically, the book is considered a database for the recovered artifacts and tombs, where both of them are clearly described, dated and illustrated.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Author: Mahmoud Abidi 
Second revised edition with an introduction by Omar al-Ghul
Publisher: Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology 
2010, 20 + 299 pp.

The first edition of this book appeared in 1967 and was based on Millar Burrows' book of the same title. Abidi was aware that some chapters in Burrows' book were too detailed for the average Arab reader not familiar with questions of Jewish and Christian theology. He therefore decided, apparently after consultation with Burrows, to exclude some chapters of Burrows' book from his translation, and replace them with others. 
In his version, Abidi adds four chapters, one about the "Copper Scroll" in which he provides details of the procedure of "opening" the scroll in Manchester in 1955. In the other three chapters he explains efforts by the Jordanian government to excavate, purchase, and organize the study of the scrolls. A chapter is dedicated to the smuggling of the scrolls to the USA and another to the tour organized for the scrolls in the 1960's, when they were sent to museums in the USA, Canada and Europe. In all four chapters, Abidi supports his exposition with documents that were at his disposal as Deputy Director General of Antiquities in Jordan. 
This second edition has been updated by Omar al-Ghul, Director of the Jordanian Dead Sea Scrolls Project. In a 20-page introduction al-Ghul sums up major developments that have taken place in publishing and studying the Dead Sea Scrolls since the first edition was produced. Almost 100 footnotes, updates, and explanatory notes are given.

What are the Dead Sea Scrolls and Why Do They Matter?

Author: D.N. Freedman and P.F. Kuhlken
I.K. al-Qanaweh (trans.), O. al-Ghul (rev.)
Publisher: Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology 
2009, 9 + 159 pp. 

This book is the first of three translations planned for publication by the Jordanian Dead Sea Scrolls Project, in collaboration with the Publications Office of the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology (see Newsletter 29). It was selected for translation because of the direct and simple answers it provides to questions posed by Kuhlken on the discovery, study and publication of the scrolls.  Many important aspects of the scrolls are discussed and explained such as theological questions about the relationship of the scrolls to Judaism and Christianity, allusions to historical personages and events, the importance of the scrolls to the followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and the future of scholarly and scientific studies on the Dead Sea Scrolls. 
In an effort to raise awareness and enhance knowledge of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jordan and the Arab World, the book is being distributed free-of-charge to school libraries and educational institutions.  However, it is available for purchase by individual readers at cost price.

Dictionary of Prehistory Terms