Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Ramsay (SUNY Brockport), Dr. Björn Anderson (University of Iowa) and Dr. Craig A. Harvey (University of Alberta) (fig. 1), and with the generous support from the Stevan B. Dana project grant, our project launched its first season as a feasibility survey. The primary goal of this survey was to explore archaeological sites around Petra for signs of continuity or transitions in cultural practices from the Iron Age to the Nabataean period (approx. 539-300 BCE). Previous surveys in the region noted material culture from  these periods, but few sites have undergone extensive excavation. This project aims to fill the gap in our understanding of this transitional period by focusing on cultural activities such as ritual, funerary, agriculture, and engineering practices. The survey targeted 12 selected sites where Iron Age and Nabataean material culture overlap, including Conway’s Tower, Mughar an-Nasara, Wadi Farasa, Jebel al-Khutbah, Madhbah, Khirbet al-Megheitah, Bayda, Wadi Musa, Umm el-Biyara, Ghrareh, and Humayma (fig. 2)

The field survey, conducted from May 15th to 30th, involved documenting archaeological evidence using Real-Time Kinematic positioning (RTK) with an Emlid RS+ device (fig. 3), traditional and photogrammetric photography (fig. 4), and written descriptions. No artifacts were collected; instead, surface pottery and lithics were recorded through notes and photographs. Over the two-week survey, the team visited and documented 12 sites. Significant accomplishments included high precision photogrammetry of Conway’s Tower (fig. 5), recording of undocumented architectural features across multiple sites (fig.6), including an apparently unknown nefesh at Mughar an-Nasara (fig. 7), and evaluation of likely Zoroastrian influences in funerary practices at Wadi al-Farasa. However, urban encroachment and looting have heavily impacted some sites, including several in the Petra Park; “Site 30” in Wadi Musa seems to have been entirely bulldozed and no traces remain.

The survey helped to identify several sites with promise to elucidate both continuity and transition between the Iron Age and Nabataean periods in the Petra region. Further exploration and detailed analysis are planned and the project aims to continue surveys and eventually undertake targeted excavations to deepen our knowledge of this transitional period. We would like to thank ASOR and the Stevan B. Dana project grant for making our work this summer possible. We also would like to thank the Department of Antiquities of Jordan and their representative Abdullah al-Saket, the Petra Archaeological Park and Qais Tweissi, the American Center of Research (ACOR) in Amman, and various funding sources for their support. We also acknowledge the wonderful contributions of our team members, Dr. Amanda Hardman, Dr. Matt Vincent, graduate student Josh Feland (University of Alberta) and our ceramic virtual consultant Dr. Sarah Wenner.