This eco hotel in Jordan is ideal for desert escapism
Looking for Covid escapism? There is a wonderful place to explore in Jordan in the Dana Biosphere Nature Reserve.
Saeb Rawashdeh
All about Gath, Goliath’s hometown
Goliath, the giant who was overtaken by King David's slingshot, is described in the biblical Book of Samuel as a Philistine giant defeated by the young David in single combat. It is believed that Goliath was originally from Gath.
Have a little faith? How Islam dealt with its first plague, the Plague of Amwas
The plague of Amwas first struck the Muslim Arab troops encamped there before spreading across Syria–Palestine and affecting Egypt and Iraq. The Plague of Amwas was the first major pandemic that hit the early Muslim communities.
Strange Desert Kites are how ancient man trapped his kill
The local Bedouin knew about them for thousands of years but in the 1920s, pilots of the Royal Air Force flying over the deserts of Israel, Jordan and Egypt saw mysterious line shapes in the ground that they named “Desert Kites”. Because their outlines, as seen from the air in their planes, reminded them of airborne kites.
If you think the Middle East is dramatic now, 2000 years ago it was a telenovela
The relations between the Herodian Kingdom and the Nabatean Kingdom were very complex and involved political, economic and marriage ties. Through the institution of marriage with local dynasties, Herodians consolidated power in the southern Levant and later became Rome’s client state. Intermarriage between religious groups was not uncommon, people were open-minded, until they were not. Here’s […]
7000 years before Fortnite, multiplayer games were etched onto city walls
Neolithic game boards from Jordan. In some places like Petra they were carved into walls of the city for leisurely play? The early mancala game we know today is likely from this, but no one really knows the rules of the ancient games. But archeologists do know that they were a way for socializing people […]
Zakat is how Muslims pay it forward
Zakat is a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax, which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer in importance. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious duty for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth.
Learning the art of ancient irrigation the Nabatean way
The Nabateans were like the Mayans of the Middle East. The ancient people were developed in agriculture, spirituality and architecture. Archaeologists dig into how they dealt with drought in Jordan, one of the driest countries on earth.
The Mysterious Nabatean Gods of the Ancient Middle East
They were harmonious with other peoples' gods; they were nomads and travellers and master builders and expert at conserving rare winter rains. Some history of the Nabateans, forerunners alongside the major religious groups and we people we know today in the Middle East. What they teach us? Why can't we all just get along?
Bedouin folk medicine
The Bedouin have an ancient and fascinating history of life hacks. Here is one: crushed scorpion paste for your baby to keep the sting at bay. Recipe inside.
How the pagans touched the East and West Banks and influenced your religion
The transition between paganism and three major monotheistic religions in the southern Levant is one of themes that intrigues Professor Robert Schick from the University of Mainz in Germany. Pagans were very connected to the cycles of the earth, and like all ancient people reckoned with nature to understand why they exist and how to survive.