Archaeology Discovery Weekend to feature Jordan’s Petra, scholars, family activities

The Monastery, Petra, Jordan, by Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA. (Wikipedia Commons)

Jordan's Director General of the Department of Antiquities Fadi Bala'awi and also secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism for Jordan will be among presenters for Archaeology Discovery Weekend 2024.

Kent Bramlett, professor of archaeology and history of antiquity at La Sierra University will give an illustrated presentation for Archaeology Discovery Weekend.

Associate Professor of Anthropology at Penn State Erie Leigh-Ann Bedal is among speakers for La Sierra's 16th archaeology weekend event.

Cynthia Finlayson, associate professor of ancient, classical and Islamic archaeology and museum studies at Brigham Young University will give a lecture for archaeology weekend events.

Megan Perry, professor of anthropology and distinguished professor of international studies at East Carolina University is among lecturers for Archaeology Discovery Weekend.

Glenn Corbett, editor-in-chief of Biblical Archaeology Review will give a talk titled "Preserving Petra: Lessons from the Temple of the Winged Lions."

Archaeologist Craig Lesh assists a child during the simulated Kids' Dig for Archaeology Discovery Weekend in 2021.

La Sierra's Center for Near Eastern Archaeology will present the 16th Annual Archaeology Discovery Weekend themed "Petra: Ancient World of Wonder" on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 - 17. The weekend will showcase illustrated presentations, also accessible online, by international scholars from around the United States and Jordan. On Sunday the event will also offer refreshments in a Bedouin tent, a simulated Kids' Dig and family-friendly lab activities such as 3D tours of Petra in a video hyperwall, ancient pottery dating, wool yarn spinning, 3D replica printing and more.

Presentations will be made on both days by the following archaeologists and scholars:

• Jordan's Director General of the Department of Antiquities Fadi Bala'awi will give a video presentation titled "Archaeological Work and Tourism: Priority and Comprehensivity, the Conservation of Jordan." He is also secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism for Jordan and is the former dean of the Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage at the Hashemite University of Zarqa.

• Leigh-Ann Bedal, associate professor of anthropology at Penn State Erie will give a talk titled " The Petra Garden and Pool Complex as Visual Propaganda."

• Kent Bramlett, professor of archaeology and history of antiquity at La Sierra University will talk about "Fortuity and Fortune: Contextualizing the Golden Age of the Nabataeans."

• Cynthia Finlayson, associate professor of ancient, classical and Islamic archaeology and museum studies at Brigham Young University will talk about "Nabataean Water-saving Strategies in Petra: Lessons for a Warming Climate."

• Megan Perry, professor of anthropology and distinguished professor of international studies at East Carolina University will discuss "Interfacing with our Elders: Aging and Health in Petra."

• Glenn Corbett, editor-in-chief of Biblical Archaeology Review will give a talk titled "Preserving Petra: Lessons from the Temple of the Winged Lions."

Petra, known in popular culture as a filming location for Indiana Jones and other movies, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra's soaring cliff-side buildings with massive ornate entrances forged from pink sandstone served as a bustling center of trade for the ancient Nabataeans who settled the area in the 4th century BC.

Archaeology Discovery Weekend lectures will be held in Troesh Conference Center of the Zapara School of Business and Sunday's activities will take place at the Center for Near Eastern Archaeology, all on La Sierra's campus. Admission to all events is free.

A special reception celebrating CNEA as 'Little Jordan' will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the business school. This year's Archaeology Discovery Weekend and its reception is part of a lineup of inauguration year events celebrating the arrival of President Christon Arthur who began his position on July 1. The series, leading to Arthur's inauguration on May 20, 2025, aims to provide opportunities for the university's stakeholders to become acquainted with President Arthur and his vision for the future, and for the university to increase engagement within the Inland Empire community and beyond.

Registration, Zoom link and other information, including a downloadable program and flyer with lab activities is available at lasierra.edu/archaeology. Information is also available at 951-785-2632. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside.