Umm Al-Jimāl

Umm Al-Jimāl
Photo by Stanislaw Warwas.

Umm Al-Jimāl comprises the well-preserved remains of a rural settlement on the Hauran plateau dating back to the 5th-8th century.

Its non-monumental architecture evolved organically, with the construction of churches and houses in a distinct local basaltic style and the reuse of buildings left by the Ancient Romans. Its buildings' pragmatic and durable character reflects the agro-pastoral lifestyle of the people who lived in this arid region that spans parts of southern Syria and northern Jordan.

Community Perspective: Wojciech visited in 2017 and found a huge site that takes 2-3 hours to explore. Despite its proximity to the Syrian border, Philipp found it easy to reach by rental car, and he enjoyed the black basalt building material the most.

1 Locations 2 Reviews 18 Ratings 19 Connections 28 Visitors Plaques

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Philipp Peterer

Switzerland - 17-Jul-24 -

Umm Al-Jimāl by Philipp Peterer

I visited Umm al-Jimal by rental car from Amman on a trip in May 2019, that covered the northern WHS of Jordan. Access was easy, even though it is close to the Syrian boarder and neighboured by a Military Air Base and a huge refugee camp.
Even though not as spectacular as nearby Jerash, the place has its charm. There is so much left from the Byzantine/Umayyad city, that it rather looks like a town recently destroyed by an earthquake than an archaeological site from the 6th century. On the other side I had a hard time finding something from the Nabatean and Roman periods. The real beauty of the city lies in the building material. The region was formed by volcanic activity and everything was built with local black basalt stones.
 
The site can easily be combined with Quasir Amra, As-Salt and even a few TWHS. There is not a lot of traffic outside of Amman, so a lot can be achieved during a productive day.

Wojciech Fedoruk

Poland - 12-Mar-17 -

Umm Al-Jimāl by Wojciech Fedoruk

Umm el-Jimal are the ruins of Nabataean, Roman and early Byzantine town from the beginning of our era. It is located in one hour driving distance from one of the biggest Jordanian tourist attractions – Jerash. Although Syrian border is only 10 km away, access to the site is not limited or especially checked (which is the case of Umm Qays, another TWHS close to the Syrian border, where everybody has to be checked on the military checkpoint).

Although Jordan is famous from its ruined towns, Umm el-Jimal is probably the biggest of them. It is really huge and if you want to see all of it, reserve at least two or three hours. It is literally the sea of ruins of former streets, houses and churches. Some of the buildings remained less destroyed and now attract the biggest attention - one of the most impressive views is the lonely arch facade of former West Church. I suspect that Jordanian government wants to reconstruct some of the buildings before attempting inscription as a WHS (aimed for 2020), as I saw a crane on the site.

Based on what I saw, Umm el-Jimal was an interesting site worth visiting. Comparing to already inscribed ruined town of Umm ar-Rasas, Umm el-Jimal is even more interesting (although without so impressive mosaics), so I would be happy to see the place as a WHS.

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Site Info

Full Name
Umm Al-Jimāl
Unesco ID
1721
Country
Jordan
Inscribed
2024
Type
Cultural
Criteria
3
Categories
Archaeological site - Near Eastern
Link
By ID

Site History

2024 Inscribed

2018 Revision

Successor to Um el-Jimal (City) (2001-2018)

Site Links

Unesco Website
Umm Al-Jimāl
Official Website

Umm el-Jimal Project

In the News

Jordan Hejaz Railway Corporation launches first tourist trip to 'UNESCO-listed' Umm Jimal (2024.11.07)

Locations

The site has 1 locations

Umm Al-Jimāl

Connections

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Art and Architecture
Spolia: "The extent of these earliest Nabataean and Roman settlements cannot be confirmed as the village and the town were destroyed in the 3rd century CE, and the building material was used in later constructions." (AB ev)
Mosaic art: "Several of Umm el-Jimal's churches are home to mosaics depicting animals, plants, and geometric patterns. These ancient mosaics are most likely influenced by the school at Madaba, which in antiquity was a famous center for mosaic art and production. Often incredibly fragile, Umm el-Jimal's remaining mosaics are a prime concern for the site's long-term conservation efforts." - (Umm el-Jimal Project)
Restored by anastylosis: "Some of the structures have been propped or consolidated, others were dismantled after being thoroughly documented and rebuilt as per original (anastylosis of the cathedral completed in 2016)." (AB Ev)
Made out of basaltic material: "embodied in the well-preserved distinctive basalt architecture" (OUV)
Damaged
Destroyed or damaged by Earthquake: "Around this time the population decreased, especially after an earthquake hit Umm el-Jimal in A.D. 749. The site was gradually abandoned during the 9th century, in the Abbasid era. The actual cause of that abandonment is best seen as a combination of events – the aftermath of earthquake, rolling pandemic, drought and shift of political epicenter to Baghdad." - (Umm el-Jimal Project)
History
Nabatean culture: "The extent of these earliest Nabataean and Roman settlements cannot be confirmed as the village and the town were destroyed in the 3rd century CE, and the building material was used in later constructions." (AB ev)
Byzantine Empire and Civilization: "Umm Al-Jimal bears testimony to the rural way of life on the Hauran plateau in the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, and epitomises the Hauranian culture with its agro-pastoral identity, reflecting the social values and cultural traditions of the Hauranian people. It provides a window into the hinterland of the imperial capitals and urban centres of the time." - AB Evaluation
Human Activity
Irrigation and drainage: "The town formed part of a broader agricultural landscape that included a complex water catchment system ensuring irrigation of the fields. It has been in operation from the Nabataean period onwards, and is still used today. It included a network of channels connecting the settlement to the nearby wadi, and at least twenty-six reservoirs located in the town and four in the village. The water system was based on a local concept and designed to ensure sustainable use of scarce water resources." "The water catchment system was revitalised in 2016-2017 and reactivated in 2019-2021, with a modern delivery system added." (AB Ev)
Multilingual inscriptions: "A rich epigraphic corpus in Greek, Nabataean, Safaitic, Latin and Arabic uncovered on the site and spanning many centuries provides insights into the history and functioning of Umm Al-Jimal, and sheds light on the changes in the religious beliefs of its inhabitants. The inscriptions are displayed at the Inscription Garden adjacent to the Interpretive and Hospitality Centre, located within the area of the nominated property." (AB Ev)
Individual People
Lawrence of Arabia: T. E. Lawrence wrote of "ruined Um el Jemal", "There seemed evidence of bluntness of mind in these Roman frontier cities, Um el Jemal, Um el Surab, Umtaiye. Such incongruous buildings, in what was then and now a desert cockpit, accused their builders of insensitiveness; almost of a vulgar assertion of man's right (Roman right) to live unchanged in all his estate."(wiki)
Religion and Belief
Mosques converted from churches , cathedrals or synagogues: "There is also a possibility that at least one of the churches was converted into a mosque after the Islamic conquest." (AB Ev)
Mentioned in the Bible: The Roman predecessor of the inscribed settlement "could be ancient Roman Thantia and biblical Beth Gamul (Jeremiah 48:23)".
Science and Technology
Archaeological potential: "The nominated property has been thus far minimally excavated (approximately two percent). Of more than 170 structures identified, only a few have been investigated archaeologically." (AB Ev)
Recorded cultural discoveries: The first recorded visit to the site was by William John Bankes (1786–1855) in 1818 who conducted a brief description of Umm el-Jimal. (wiki)
Timeline
Built in the 5th century: Focus on Hauranian culture. Late Antique to Early Islamic periods (5th-8thcenturies CE) (AB ev)
Trivia
Dubbed as another WHS: Black Petra
WHS Hotspots
Amman Hotspot: 75km
World Heritage Process
2 or more nominated criteria rejected by AB: 4 and 5 rejected
Inscribed on a single criterion only: Crit iii

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