As with much of Jordan the area has been inhabited by successive waves of people and displays architectural remains from the Iron Age upwards. Earlier climates were undoubtedly wetter than today such that the growing of crops or the hunting of game formed an important element of the lifestyle. Nevertheless the ancient water cisterns at Jawa would suggest that the provision of adequate water supplies was an issue even in the Bronze Age. Archaeological sites within the study area include:
Jawa :
An Early Bronze Age town with impressive water cisterns.
Burqu’:
A Roman fort in a wonderful desert oasis that has also been considered as a future Ramsar site.
Umm al-Quttein:
A strategically located settlement that once housed a Roman cavalry unit. It has the remains of four Byzantine churches, and a large monastery.
Azraq Castle:
A fine Roman construction with an impressive hinged door and rock rafters. It was used by T.E.Lawrence as a base in the winter of 1917-18 before the assault on Damascus.
Qasayr Amra:
A small palace that may have been a hunting lodge for wealthy Byzantines. It is profusely decorated with vivid frescos. It has the first known representation of the night sky in circular form.
Qasr al-Karaneh:
A splendid Umayyad castle that may have been a caravanserai.
Archaeological sites are managed by the Department of Tourism and Antiquities.
