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Introduction to Jordan: Petra and Beyond with Dr. Kevin Gibbs

Introduction to Jordan: Petra and Beyond with Dr. Kevin Gibbs


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Jordan is home to many biblical sites such as the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and Mount Nebo where Moses died. But today it has become a popular and enthralling travel destination—and for good reason. It’s an accessible and welcoming country, known equally for its ancient archaeological wonders, dramatic landscapes, deep-rooted cultural traditions, and vibrant modern cities. This seminar provides an introduction to the wide range of attractions that Jordan has to offer.
Together we will survey of Jordan’s diverse landscapes and environments, such as the meandering Jordan River and the Dead Sea—the lowest point on earth; the highlands dotted with Mediterranean-like olive orchards and bisected by steep-walled gorges; the vast deserts to the east and south of the country, including the towering mountains of Wadi Rum; and the underwater playground of the Red Sea, with its colorful marine life. 
We will also explore Jordan’s rich archaeology and history, including early sites with Biblical connections, Roman cities like well-preserved Jerash, Crusader-era castles, and, of course, the rock-cut tombs and temples of Petra—the capital city of the Nabataeans and one of the undisputed wonders of the archaeological world. 
Modern life in Jordan is equally fascinating, with its mixture of lifestyles, religions, and cultures, from the chic wine bars and bustling cafes of Amman to the traditional hospitality of the Bedouin people. We will conclude with some of the challenges facing modern Jordan and how advances in eco-tourism and environmental policies are helping to create a sustainable future.
Led by an expert on the archaeology of Jordan, Dr. Kevin Gibbs, this interactive seminar will explore the country’s geography, history, and culture. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of Jordan’s natural and cultural wonders.

Kevin Gibbs is an archaeologist based at the University of California, Berkeley. He completed his PhD at the University of Toronto. He has carried out research in various parts of North America, East Asia, and the Middle East but for the last 20 years his fieldwork has focused primarily on the archaeology of Jordan. He has taught courses on archaeology and cultural anthropology at several universities, including Berkeley, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the University of Toronto, and the University of Manchester.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
83%
(10)
17%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Albert M. Gordon (Gaithersburg, US)
excellent introduction to Jordan

Dr. Gibbs appears to be very knowledgeable about Jordan and shared this clearly. I was hoping that he would spend more time on Petra but this was more of a general introduction.

D
Dori (St. Catharines, CA)
Well prepared and interesting.

This was a good presentation. I have been to Jordan, and I learned new things and identified some sites I have not seen and would like to. This was a travel presentation rather than historical, but that was okay. I realize there are probably limits to political conversation, but , in light of what is happening in Jordan, it would have been interesting to include some of this. Nonetheless, highly recommend.

P
Paul Rivard (Québec, CA)
A very comprehensive tour

A quasi complete tour of Jordan. You will have a zillion ideas of things to do over there!

C
Cynthia Futter (Santa Monica, US)
We covered a lot of ground!

I had no idea before this tour how much there was to see in Jordan. I liked that he is an archaeologist, and can talk about the various periods reflected in the architecture, as well as the cultural and geographic aspects as well. The time flew by!

G
Guy Griffith (Nashville, US)
Jordan and Petra

Dr. Gibbs provided an instructive and inviting overview to Jordan, helping to look beyond the "usual suspects." I've had the pleasure of traveling to Jordan 3 times and am scheduled to lead a group there in October, so it was good to be refreshed.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
83%
(10)
17%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Albert M. Gordon (Gaithersburg, US)
excellent introduction to Jordan

Dr. Gibbs appears to be very knowledgeable about Jordan and shared this clearly. I was hoping that he would spend more time on Petra but this was more of a general introduction.

D
Dori (St. Catharines, CA)
Well prepared and interesting.

This was a good presentation. I have been to Jordan, and I learned new things and identified some sites I have not seen and would like to. This was a travel presentation rather than historical, but that was okay. I realize there are probably limits to political conversation, but , in light of what is happening in Jordan, it would have been interesting to include some of this. Nonetheless, highly recommend.

P
Paul Rivard (Québec, CA)
A very comprehensive tour

A quasi complete tour of Jordan. You will have a zillion ideas of things to do over there!

C
Cynthia Futter (Santa Monica, US)
We covered a lot of ground!

I had no idea before this tour how much there was to see in Jordan. I liked that he is an archaeologist, and can talk about the various periods reflected in the architecture, as well as the cultural and geographic aspects as well. The time flew by!

G
Guy Griffith (Nashville, US)
Jordan and Petra

Dr. Gibbs provided an instructive and inviting overview to Jordan, helping to look beyond the "usual suspects." I've had the pleasure of traveling to Jordan 3 times and am scheduled to lead a group there in October, so it was good to be refreshed.