Latest news with #ACOR
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Archaeologists 'find Jesus' Holy Grail' under iconic Indiana Jones location
Archaeologists believe they have found the Holy Grail chalice beneath the iconic Jordanian Treasury, the incredible building used as the temple in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade In a twist straight out of a Hollywood script, archaeologists have stumbled upon what they believe to be the Holy Grail beneath Jordan's iconic Al Khazneh, the very site that featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Daily Mail reports that beneath the breathtaking facade of Petra's Treasury, a tomb containing 12 skeletons and various artifacts, including a chalice reminiscent of the legendary Holy Grail, was uncovered. This astonishing discovery echoes the adventures of Indiana Jones in the 1989 film where Harrison Ford's character unearths remarkable treasures, with Sean Connery by his side. Dr Pearce Paul Creasman from the American Center of Research (ACOR) and television explorer Josh Gates of The Discovery Channel were the brains behind this extraordinary find. Their work could illuminate the history of the Nabataeans, the advanced Arab people who constructed the architectural wonder. An episode of 'Expedition Unknown' on The Discovery Channel captured Gates' thrill at the "hugely rare discovery" set against one of the globe's most renowned structures, reports the Mirror US. Gates expressed his awe, saying: "Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the are still huge discoveries to be made." The ACOR was given the nod by Jordanian officials to dig beneath the iconic Treasury in Petra, leading to some astonishing finds. Digging efforts captured by Expedition Unknown in August last year unearthed a dozen intact skeletons and a treasure trove of artifacts including bronze, iron, and ceramics. Due to Petra's changing flood patterns and humidity, several skeletons were discovered with mould on them. Among the relics was a chalice eerily reminiscent of the famed Holy Grail, an observation noted by Gates: "It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art." Previous excavations in 2003 had already hinted at hidden secrets when two tombs were discovered under Al-Khazneh's left flank, prompting Dr. Creasman and his team to suspect more treasures lay hidden. Ground-penetrating radar, which uses electromagnetic wave pulses to peep underground, revealed what could be unseen chambers flanking Al-Khazneh. The Holy Grail, the subject of numerous myths, legends, and Hollywood hits, traces its origin back to Jesus Christ's Last Supper, believed to have been used for sharing His blood. The chalice has evolved from its religious and mythical origins to become a symbol of immortal life in many narratives, extending its influence into a cultural phenomenon, capturing the imagination in an array of blockbuster movies. This was sparked off in Arthurian legends where the Holy Grail was frequently portrayed as a magical object with divine powers.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Holy Grail 'found' in 'awesome' discovery just like Indiana Jones
Archaeologists believe they've stumbled upon the Holy Grail of Jesus beneath the Jordanian Treasury, the same stunning building that doubled as a temple in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," marking an "awesome" moment of discovery. The scene at Al Khazneh in Petra, Jordan – famed as the Treasury and the Temple of the Sun in the Harrison Ford-starring flick – turned into a real-life echo of the movie's plot when archaeologists uncovered a previously unknown tomb. This remarkable discovery unearthed 12 skeletons and a treasure trove of artefacts, including a chalice that bears resemblance to the legendary Holy Grail, as reported by The Daily Mail. The find is reminiscent of the storyline from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, where the film's protagonist uncovers similar awe-inspiring relics in the 1989 hit, which also featured Sean Connery. Dr Pearce Paul Creasman from the American Center of Research (ACOR) and telly explorer Josh Gates of The Discovery Channel were the brains behind this sensational find, reports the Mirror US. It's thought that this could cast new light on the Nabataeans – the advanced Arab civilisation responsible for creating this architectural wonder. Gates was barely able to contain his thrill during an episode of The Discovery Channel's 'Expedition Unknown,' labelling it a "hugely rare discovery" right in front of one of the globe's most iconic facades. He said: "Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the are still huge discoveries to be made." The Jordanian officials granted the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) permission to excavate beneath the Treasury in Petra, aiming to uncover any previously unknown chambers. These excavations in August last year were captured on camera by the 'Expedition Unknown' team and unearthed tombs containing 12 complete skeletons along with a treasure trove of intact bronze, iron and ceramic artefacts. Due to fluctuating levels of humidity and flooding, some of the skeletons were found with mould upon them. Amongst the finds was a ceramic chalice that remarkably echoes the depiction of the Holy Grail, leading Gates to say: "It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art." Back in 2003, other explorers found two tombs with skeletal remains under the left side of Al-Khazneh, sparking Dr. Creasman and his colleagues to think there could be more secret tombs lying in wait. With the aid of ground-penetrating radar technology, which sends out pulses of electromagnetic waves, they picked up indications of possible underground cavities flanking Al-Khazneh on both sides. The Holy Grail is intertwined with numerous legends, myths, and movies but its ancient origins trace back to the narrative of Jesus' Last Supper – specifically the cup used to share Christ's blood. In many tales, consuming from the Holy Grail or Chalice is believed to bestow immortality. Apart from Christian traditions and the scriptural tale, the Chalice has risen to a cultural zenith, its iterations widespread across an array of blockbuster cinema. This was initiated in Arthurian legends where the Holy Grail was frequently portrayed as a magical object with divine powers.
Jordan Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Czech explorer documents southern Jordan before modern era
Robert Schick presents life and achievements of the Czech Arabist Alois Musil on Tuesday at American Centre of Research (Photo courtesy of ACOR) AMMAN — Long before the rise of modern archaeology in the Middle East, a Czech priest-turned-explorer was meticulously documenting the landscapes, people, and ancient ruins of southern Jordan. Born in 1868 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, AloisMusil grew up in a bilingual Czech-German farming family in Rychtarov. He studied Roman Catholic theology at the University of Olomouc and was ordained a priest in 1891. His academic journey led him to the Dominican Biblical School in Jerusalem, where he studied from 1895 to 1898, developing fluency in both English and Arabic, skills that would shape his future as an orientalist and explorer. Between 1896 and 1902, Musil conducted extensive ethnographic and archaeological research across southern Jordan, venturing into northern Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and northern Saudi Arabia in the years that followed. His work has been credited with providing the earliest comprehensive documentation of sites such as Petra, Qasr Amra, Rabba, and Faynan. 'Musil was a counterpoint to Lawrence of Arabia,' said independent American researcher Robert Schick during a presentation at the American Center of Research titled 'Alois Musil's Explorations of Southern Jordan in 1896–1902.' 'He was conducting similar research for the Austro-Hungarian army.' Musil served as a soldier during World War I and returned to Czechoslovakia after the war, never setting foot in the Middle East again. He became a professor at the University of Prague, dedicating the rest of his life to publishing his findings. His three-volume work Arabia Petraea—published in German between 1907 and 1908—covers the regions of Moab, Edom, and includes a detailed ethnological travel report. Though less known than his English-language publications, these works remain vital to scholars today. 'His was the first detailed documentation of Petra's rock-cut tombs and monuments,' Schick noted. Musil also created detailed maps and took hundreds of photographs of the areas he explored—visual records that today serve as important ethnological and historical evidence. Among his many achievements, Musil is recognized as the first Western scholar to reach QasrAmra and to write about Rabba, a major settlement on the Karak Plateau before the Crusader era. His observations at Faynan added further depth to the understanding of southern Jordan's ancient history. In 1900, Musil witnessed the Ottoman Empire's efforts to build telegraph lines through Jordan's interior—a sign of the empire's push toward modernization. 'He saw how locals would flee to avoid Ottoman soldiers who confiscated their animals for transport,' Schick said. Musil's camera also captured the cultural life of the region. His collection includes rare images of rabbaba players and traditional Arabic poets, along with thousands of lines of verse that he recorded. Though trained in Biblical studies, Musil's enduring legacy lies in his work as an Arabist and ethnographer. His pioneering documentation continues to inform modern research into the cultural and historical heritage of the region.
Jordan Times
16-04-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Climate crisis threatens cultural heritage in Middle East — Scholars
The mosaic floor of the Byzantine church in Jerash (Photo courtesy of ACOR) AMMAN — The climate crisis directly impacts cultural heritage in the Middle East and it will continue to affect historical monuments and sites in the coming decades. Two recent collections of studies authored by archaeologists demonstrate a growing awareness of the situation, especially as it pertains to coastal and inland river flooding's impact on cultural heritage sites, noted Professor Benjamin Porter from Berkeley University. The professor added that the authors stress the need to work with various publics, from government policymakers to community stewards and stakeholders, to mitigate the emerging crisis. "Nearly all of these studies are based in the so-called developed world—North America, Europe, Japan and Australia—and, notably, none are concerned with the Middle East,' he said. 'How then should one start to think about the practice of Middle Eastern archaeology within the context of the region's climate crisis? Rather than begin with the discipline's instinct to 'preserve' and 'protect' the archaeological record," asked Porter. Middle Eastern archaeology in the 19th and early 20th century was directly influenced by European scholar and European imperialism and colonialism. Since World War Two, archaeology has continuously benefitted from European, North American, and now East Asian interests in the Middle East's carbon resources. Critics continue to describe Middle Eastern archaeology as a neo-colonialist enterprise that extracts evidence for Western research priorities under the guise of ethical 'salvaging' of global cultural heritage, the professor explained. Porter noted that this critique is not entirely fair, of course—some of archaeology's most important contributions to the governments that host their research is the discovery and documentation of monuments on which national cultural heritage and tourism destinations are based. "However, even if these contributions are viewed positively, they also serve as reminders that Middle Eastern archaeology is not and has never been a neutral bystander in the region's local and national politics.' 'Invoking archaeology's historical legacy while reflecting on the climate crisis is important as it situates archaeological practice, regardless of the position of its practitioners, within a systemic regime that has already proved harmful to Middle Eastern societies. Setting aside the visible well-documented examples of archaeologists who contributed their research to the region's ethno-national narratives," Porter elaborated. Archaeological practice can create tacit inequities despite the well-intentioned motives of researchers. For instance, local communities that live adjacent to cultural heritage sites often receive very limited benefits beyond seasonal labour and small business patronage despite their participation in the research and site interpretation process, according to Allison Mickel. In some instances, in fact, archaeological research and site development projects have displaced entire communities in the name of preservation and security, such as the relocation of families living in or alongside the archaeological sites of Umm Qais and Petra in northern and southern Jordan, respectively. "Growing awareness of the negative impacts that Middle Eastern communities can experience have led archaeologists to develop more ethically engaged sensibilities and practices in their research programmes," Porter said. To do so, they have drawn on community archaeology models that consider local groups as stakeholders in the documentation and interpretation of cultural heritage. Indeed, these collaborative programmes have grown common in archaeological practice around the work, especially in North American and Australian projects that bring indigenous communities together with archaeologists to achieve shared goals. "Over the past two decades in the Middle East, archaeologists have adopted community archaeology as a framework that can potentially reverse the discipline's imperialist and colonialist legacy. Despite early enthusiasm for the approach, collaborative and community archaeology programs have not been widely adopted. Only a handful of projects have risen in visibility," Porter said. The professor noted that this brief autopsy of community archaeology in the Middle East is key because it is likely the local rural and suburban communities that live alongside archaeological sites that stand to be the most affected by changing climate conditions. "Rural communities who are responsible for supplying a significant portion of the region's food supply will be stressed by warming conditions, erratic winter weather patterns, and increased erosion of valuable soils,' the professor said. 'Archaeological projects, regardless of the extent to which they collaborate with host communities in their research, remain dependent on communities and their businesses for basic services," Porter underscored.
Jordan Times
09-04-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Lecture highlights Nabataeans' water mastery, pottery legacy
The aerial view of the Temple of the Winged Lions (Photo courtesy of ACOR) AMMAN — The ancient Nabataeans were well known for their hydraulic system, water storage and irrigation in a very arid area of Petra and its hinterland. They combined the best Greco-Roman practices with water preservation experiences in desert areas of north-western Arabia and Sinai. The Nabataeans were pioneers in hydraulic engineering, employing techniques that allowed more effective water distribution and storage across vast desert landscapes. "Throughout history, different cultures have made significant advancements in engineering, particularly in developing systems that facilitated water management and distribution," noted Yazan Tall at the lecture "The |Nabataean Innovative Techniques: Water Systems, Pottery and Queries", held on Tuesday at American Centre of Research. The event attracted a number of academics, professors and directors of Jordanian and foreign archaeological missions. These technological innovations were 'vital' for the creation of effective water systems in ancient times, and similar water systems were implemented in other parts of the Mediterranean by Greco-Romans. Water collection and conservation was particularly important in societies that lived in extremely dry weather like the one in Petra during the Nabataean Kingdom. 'Water systems were not just functional: they played crucial role in the social and economic activities of Nabataean society influencing trade and settlement patterns," Tall explained. The development of the Nabataean pottery was interconnected with water storage and artistry in pottery had its significant social role. The Nabataeans skilfully utilised local resources enhancing their pottery's durability and aesthetic appeal, Tall said, adding that it showcased their environmental adaptability. "By comparing Nabataean pottery with that of other Near Eastern cultures, we can glean insights into cross-cultural influences and shared techniques," Tall said, noting that exploring traditional methods of forming and firing pottery provides deeper understanding of the technical advancements in the ancient Near East. Meanwhile, pottery often played a significant role in trade, serving as both a commodity and medium for cultural exchange among ancient societies. 'The variety of pottery styles across different civilisations illustrated the rich tapestry of cultural identities and artistic expressions in the region," Tall underlined. The significance of the pottery also testified about the talent of the craftsman and the design was influenced by the local environment. Another major influence for the Nabataean pottery was the trade route that went from the bottom of the Arabian Peninsula all the way to Gaza, Mediterranean ports and Damascus. 'Pottery also reflected the Nabataean cultural and ethnic identity," Tall said, adding that the Nabataean queries influenced monumental architecture inside Petra. The Nabataeans transported stones from queries by dragging them with ropes due to its heaviness. For Tall, the most challenging part of his study was how to reconstruct the Nabataean hydraulic system and water management. "We might have tour guides specialised in water management because tourists usually visit The Treasury and a few other spots overlooking other sites that are equally important," Tall underlined, adding that we face the lack of visual interpretation of Petra hydraulic system as well as interactive signage. This type of tolls would connect researchers, tourists and students who flock Petra and its hinterland, Tall concluded.
