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Time of India
6 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
How a 1,500-year-old map led researchers to a hidden city
Ancient maps often have mysteries hidden inside, especially those that enclose the geography of areas rich in history and culture. One such map, the Madaba Mosaic Map, is a precious artifact from the Byzantine era that has surprised historians and archaeologists. The map that was made over 1,500 years ago offers a detailed depiction of the Holy Land, including many sites that have since been lost to time. The deep desire to locate these lost cities is not just about uncovering through the ruins, but it is about reconnecting with the past civilizations that pottered the spiritual and economic arena of the region. Recently, a team of researchers went on a journey to find one of these elusive cities, guided by the ancient mosaic and supported by modern archaeological techniques. The lost city of Byzantine was found in Jordan The lost Byzantine city of Tharais has come into the limelight after centuries of obscurity. Tharais, which was once depicted on the famed Madaba Mosaic Map, a 6th-century tile map located in Madaba, Jordan, has been identified near the modern town of El-'Iraq, close to the southeastern edge of the Dead Sea. This was the result of a dedicated research project led by Musallam R. al-Rawahneh, an associate professor of archaeology and ancient Near East studies at Mutah University, spanning from 2021 to 2024, and the team recently published their discoveries in the journal Gephyra. The Madaba Mosaic Map, allegedly created during Emperor Justinian's reign (527-565 A.D.), is the oldest surviving map of Jordan's Holy Lands and features 157 sites, many still undiscovered. Tharais, a city from the Byzantine Empire, was one such mystery until al-Rawahneh's team combined the ancient map with modern surveys to locate the site. Their fieldwork found mosaic floors, glassware, and tools, indicating a surviving settlement. Most notably, they found architectural remains resembling a Byzantine basilica, an oblong church structure with an open-air central room, alongside Greek and Latin funerary inscriptions that point to an early Christian community in the area. According to al-Rawahneh, 'The prominence of Tharais on the Madaba Map and the discovery of a basilica church structure suggest that it served not only as an agricultural village but also as a sacred site and commercial rest stop,' as reported by Türkiye Today. This dual role tells that Tharais was both a spiritual hub and an economically active center. Evidence of olive oil presses, windmills, and grape-crushing equipment supports the idea that the city was self-sustaining economically. The layout of the ruins, including gates, towers, and other structures, closely matches the depiction on the Madaba Map, proving the case for the site's identification as Tharais. 'Our aim is not just to uncover Tharais,' al-Rawahneh explained, 'but also to advocate for the protection of Jordan's rich cultural heritage.' This rediscovery not only fills a gap in the historical record but also offers a vivid glimpse into the life of a Byzantine city that blended religious significance with agricultural prosperity and trade, enriching our understanding of the ancient Near East.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A 1,500-Year-Old Map Helped Researchers Find a Lost Byzantine City
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Researchers recently found one of the many lost Holy Land cities in Jordan. The team used maps and field surveys to identify the site. Experts believe the lost city Tharais wasn't just an agricultural village—it may have also been a spiritual hub. The Madaba Mosaic Map is perhaps the most famous geographical masterpiece of the ancient Near East. Believed to have been built during Emperor Justinian's reign (527-565 A.D.), the tile art piece is the oldest surviving map of Jordan's Holy Lands. The map is located in Madaba, Jordan, and depicts a total of 157 sites—many of which have yet to be found. One of the many lost cities is a place called Tharais, which dates all the way back to the Byzantine Empire. And researchers might have just found it. Starting in 2021, a research team led by Musallam R. al-Rawahneh—an associate professor of archeology and ancient Near East studies at Mutah University—began looking for Tharais. The field project lasted until 2024, and the team recently published their findings in the journal Gephyra. Finding a lost city is no easy task, and researchers had to use several different methods to track down Tharais. Maps, including both the Madaba Mosaic and more contemporary maps, gave researchers a starting baseline. They then conducted a field survey near a modern city near the southeastern edge of the Dead Sea called El-'Iraq. There, researchers found remnants of mosaic floors, glassware, and various tools—all compelling evidence that that was where Tharais once thrived. Most notably, the team uncovered features resembling a Byzantine basilica—an oblong building with an open-air central room. Collaborative efforts with other institutions from Spain and France added further evidence to the scene when researchers discovered Greek and Latin funerary inscriptions. These inscriptions suggest the existence of a Christian community in the area, supporting the theologic identity of the site. A doorway consistent with architecture in Byzantine churches was also found, further affirming the site's supposed history. In short: all signs point toward religion. 'The prominence of Tharais on the Madaba Map and the discovery of a basilica church structure suggest that it served not only as an agricultural village but also as a sacred site and commercial rest stop,' al-Rawahneh said in a Türkiye Today report. And according to the team, the presence of religion didn't weaken the city's economy. The presence of olive oil presses, windmills, and grape crushing equipment suggests that Tharais was economically self-sustaining. Perhaps the most convincing indications of the site's true identity are the parallels between the structures found by the researchers and the Madaba Mosaic Map. The arrangement of gates, ruins, and even towers closely match the map's depiction of the lost city. As for the future of Tharais, the team says that they wish to preserve the area from El-'Iraq's rapid urbanization. 'Our aim is not just to uncover Tharais,' Al-Rawahneh explained in the report, 'but also to advocate for the protection of Jordan's rich cultural heritage.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
PhD holder, farmer, mother: The inspirational life of Jamila Ishtaywi
AMMAN — In the heart of the Southern Jordan Valley, where traditional gender roles still shape everyday life, Jamila Ishtaywi has emerged as a powerful symbol of perseverance and empowerment. Once a young girl herding sheep and working the land with her family, she is now a PhD holder and a role model for her community. A farmer, academic, and mother of four, Ishtaywi's journey from rural hardship to academic success highlights the transformative power of education and the strength of Jordanian women in overcoming societal constraints. 'We inherited our love for the land from our parents,' she said. 'They planted in us not just crops, but a deep respect and passion for farming.' Known since childhood for her strong will and determination, Ishtaywi described herself as rebellious, traits that would later fuel her relentless pursuit of education despite enormous obstacles. Born into a society where educational opportunities for women were limited, she married young after failing her General Secondary Examination in 1989 and dedicated herself to raising her family. But her dreams never faded. 'I was determined to continue learning, even if it seemed impossible,' she recalled. In her thirties, while raising four children, she returned to school, studying alongside her teenage children. It took her three attempts, but she eventually passed her exams, marking a personal turning point. Despite not holding a diploma, she began working as a typist at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities office in Ghor Al-Safi to help support her family. With the support of her husband, Ishtaywi enrolled at Mutah University, where she pursued a degree in Tourism and General Antiquities. Juggling academic demands with household responsibilities, she graduated with a 'Very Good' rating, a milestone that inspired both her family and her community. Refusing to stop there, she continued her academic journey, eventually earning a PhD in Tourism and Antiquities. Today, she manages the Lowest Point on Earth Museum and hopes to join a university's academic staff, using her story to motivate young people, especially women. 'Education is a woman's weapon,' she said. 'There's no such thing as impossible when you have willpower and determination.' Her achievements not only brought her personal and financial independence, especially at a time when her husband was unemployed, but also earned her admiration across the Jordan Valley. 'People began to see me as a role model,' she said. 'Women, youth, even men.' Now an advocate for women's education, Ishtaywi continues to inspire others to challenge social norms and follow their dreams. Her story, rooted in the soil of the Jordan Valley, has grown into a legacy of resilience, empowerment and hope.
