Directorate of Archaeological Studies, Publication, and Outreach
Established in 1971 as the first directorate in the Department of Antiquities, to undertake the management of the scientific and intellectual aspects of the Department. The Directorate of Archaeological Studies, Publication, and Outreach is considered one of the fundamental pillars in the organizational structure of the Department of Antiquities, as it plays a pivotal role in developing archaeological knowledge and preserving the national cultural heritage through its five departments: Studies and Research, Publication and Registration, The Library, Documentation and Management of National Heritage, and Archaeological Outreach.
The Vision
To be a leading and accredited directorate in the field of scientific research, documentation, and archaeological outreach at the local and regional levels, contributing effectively to the preservation of archaeological and historical heritage and the enhancement of national identity.
The Mission
Conducting accurate and specialized scientific research and studies in the field of archaeology, and scientific publishing in a systematic manner that supports scientific knowledge, while working to raise the level of community awareness regarding the importance of protecting antiquities through the development of innovative awareness and educational programs, and enhancing scientific cooperation with local and international institutions, in addition to documenting and registering new archaeological sites.
The Mandate (Tasks)
- Preparation of scientific reports.
- Scientific publishing.
- Awareness and education.
- Employment of Artificial Intelligence.
- Editing scientific journals issued by the Directorate.
- Archiving of documents.
- Supplying the library with specialized books in archaeology and its branches.
- Registering and documenting newly discovered archaeological sites in the database of National Heritage Management.
- Preparation of explanatory panels.
Sections of the Directorate:
- Studies and Research Department
It is responsible for preparing specialized scientific studies, research, and reports with the aim of producing correct knowledge and accurate information. It is required that the person in charge of the department holds a Bachelor’s degree at minimum in sciences related to archaeology, ancient history, and applied arts related to antiquities, such as: Archaeology, Ancient History, Epigraphy (Ancient Writings), Heritage Resources Management, Conservation and Restoration Science, and Anthropology, within specific conditions. Furthermore, their experience must not be less than six years in the field of editing, research writing, and evaluation of studies as previously mentioned. The tasks of the Studies and Research Department are:
- Preparing scientific reports on archaeological sites.
- Reviewing reports scientifically in both Arabic and English languages for accreditation.
- Editing articles for scientific journals issued by the Department of Antiquities.
- Participating in scientific seminars and conferences.
- Providing opinions on information related to Biblical Studies.
- The ability to analyze information related to historical and archaeological studies.
- Preparing scientific studies that support the human, cultural, and social civilizational dimension.
- Preparing and reviewing scientific material for booklets, brochures, books, and articles.
- Establishing correct instructions and foundations for scientific publishing in journals and bulletins issued by the Department of Antiquities.
- Studying archaeological and historical research and studies referred from institutes and university colleges specialized in archaeology and history with objectivity and neutrality.
- Selecting new topics in archaeology and history and writing about them to present new, correct, and accurate information.
- Preparing special records for modern sources and references for each time period in the fields of archaeology and history.
- Reviewing technical scientific reports related to international projects involving archaeological excavations, surveys, conservation, and restoration, and ensuring they fulfill the technical conditions.
- Contributing to scientific publishing in local and international journals.
- Keeping pace with new developments in archaeological work.
- Contributing to the publication of research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals concerned with archaeology and ancient history.
- Providing services to the public according to the due procedures.
- Publication and Registration Department:
It undertakes the publication, distribution, printing, documentation, and archiving of everything related to archaeology and its branches, as well as archaeological excavations in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The head of the department must hold a Bachelor’s degree at minimum in archaeology and its branches within specific conditions, and it is preferred that their experience is not less than six years in the field of scientific publishing and editing. The tasks of the Publication and Registration Department are:
- Issuing the Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (ADAJ): It is a specialized scientific journal that includes articles related to archaeological excavations and studies conducted during one calendar year. Its publication began in 1951. The department receives articles from Arab and foreign researchers and corresponds with them regarding technical and scientific matters contained in their articles through the dedicated publication email (Publication@doa.gov.jo).
- The department prepares articles for printing by auditing, reviewing, and arranging the images, figures, and tables contained therein.
- The department sends ready articles to specialists for linguistic review.
- The department receives articles from linguistic reviewers and returns them to the authors for final approval in case of any amendments.
- The department collects articles and prepares them for the press for final production; it monitors the work of the press until the delivery of the printed quantities of copies to the warehouses of the Department of Antiquities.
- Announcing the issuance of the volume through the Department's electronic website.
- Instructing the employees of the Publication Department to receive copies of the Annual for sale and gifting, according to the due procedures, from the main warehouses.
- Corresponding with all authors and sending electronic copies of their published articles to them, with the possibility of visiting the Department to receive their hard copies.
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Issuing the volume of Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan (SHAJ): It is a scientific journal that includes articles related to various excavations and archaeological studies presented during the "Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan" conference, which is held once every three years; the first conference was held in 1980.
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Receiving reports from the representatives accompanying archaeological missions operating in the Kingdom, sent to the Directorate via the email address (Reports@doa.gov.jo), preparing hard copies, and proceeding with the process of reviewing, auditing, and accrediting them.
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Archiving scientific reports received by the Directorate and entering them into the archive database program.
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Linking electronically scanned reports for the purposes of feeding the specific archiving program for reports.
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Assisting reviewers, specialized researchers, and those interested in archaeology by reviewing previous reports and quoting from them according to the information request form approved by the Directorate, and according to the due procedures.
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Following up, auditing, and feeding the Department of Antiquities Archive program (Antiquities Archive), which contains the following:
- Images of various types.
- Scientific and technical reports.
- Archaeological registrations and documentations.
- Unpublished studies and research.
- Engineering plans and models attached to the reports.
- Public service in the Publication Department (Department of Antiquities Publications):
- Direct Sales: Where the buyer is received and asked about the required publication, the price is shown to them, and after payment, a receipt voucher is provided. Then, an invoice is issued by the Financial Affairs Directorate at the publication's price; the buyer is then handed the issue and the invoice. An issuance voucher is prepared with the issued invoice number, a copy of which is kept along with a copy of the receipt voucher. A copy is sent to the warehouse keeper to deduct it from the main records after deducting it from the Annual's storekeeper records. This service is provided to the public according to the due procedures.
- Electronic Sales: Where the purchase request is received via email, the approved price list for the Department's publications is sent, and an invoice for the required copies is prepared. The deposit number for the publication account at the Central Bank of Jordan is sent. Upon receiving an email with the deposit number, the required publications are prepared in special postal shipping envelopes and sent via Jordan Post from the petty cash entitlements. The invoice and deposit transactions are attached to the issuance voucher; a copy is sent to the Financial Directorate to indicate the expenditure of the amount from the petty cash, and a copy is sent to the warehouse keeper.
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Library Department:
It is responsible for documenting, cataloging, and acquiring all books and periodicals that research archaeology and its branches, with a focus on the antiquities of Jordan. It is one of the technical departments that has been listed as a separate department according to the organizational structure system approved for the year 2024. The library was established in 1928 and possesses the most important books and periodicals in various languages, including Arabic and others. Its classification relied on the Dewey Decimal Classification system and the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. In 2007, the library was computerized using the WinSIS database system. Currently, to keep pace with development and modernization, work is underway to migrate the database to a new system, which is the KOHA system. This system supports the cataloging process via the MARC21 (Machine-Readable Cataloging) system, which is the most widely used standard in the world for documenting and exchanging bibliographic data, holdings data, classification, and community information in a machine-readable format. It is also the most prevalent and supported bibliographic data format in Integrated Library Systems (ILS). Within the MARC standard, there is a specific field according to the Library of Congress Classification, and there is also a specific field for the Dewey Decimal Classification. Furthermore, it serves the import and export of the bibliographic record (electronic library card) through the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), or through the title or author's name. Upon the completion of classification and review work, the library's website will be integrated with the Department of Antiquities' electronic website to make its contents available for review and research. As for the person in charge of the department, they must hold a Bachelor’s degree at minimum in Library Science or related fields within specific conditions, and it is preferred that their experience is not less than one year in the field of cataloging and the science of classifying books, magazines, periodicals, etc. The tasks of the Library Department are:
- Receiving books and registering them in official records according to the due procedures.
- Classifying books, entering them into the database, and cataloging them.
- Preparing books for borrowing purposes and organizing them in their places according to their classification.
- Receiving visitors through library visits and registering their names in the library visitors' logbook.
- Providing services by inquiring about any scientific reference available in the library.
- Providing books or periodicals for consultation through hall supervision, with the possibility of free photocopying for the service recipient.
- Activating the new library system (KOHA), feeding and processing all data, and performing all library registrations according to the due procedures.
- Activating the electronic website for the library’s email; once the data feeding is completed, the site will be launched via a window on the Department's electronic website.
- Informing service recipients about the Department’s publications website available electronically (publication.doa.gov.jo) to facilitate access to information.
- Introducing visitors to all available electronic sources to assist them through the Department’s electronic website (www.doa.gov.jo).
- Providing services to the public according to the due procedures.
- National Heritage Documentation and Management Department:
It is concerned with building a Geographic Information System (GIS) database for archaeological sites in Jordan, based on the former database known as JADIS (Jordan Antiquities Database and Information System), to create an updated record of all Jordanian archaeological sites. The head of the department must hold a Bachelor’s degree at minimum in archaeology and its branches within specific conditions, and it is preferred that their experience is not less than five years in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The tasks of the National Heritage Documentation and Management Department are:
- Managing the program and following up on data entry.
- Acting as a liaison between the Department of Antiquities and partners.
- Informing the management of any observations or needs through the Director of the Directorate of Studies and Publication.
- Direct coordination with the Directorate of Excavations and Archaeological Surveys.
- Receiving local and international reports for information entry.
- Field follow-up in the event of a malfunction or error.
- Defining the importance of the program and spreading awareness about it.
- Collecting information on all entered archaeological sites and providing it to the relevant authorities, and auditing the information entered into the program.
- Conducting field inspection of archaeological sites in cooperation with the Department's surveyors.
- Auditing, reviewing, and correcting information.
- Following up on reports of newly entered imbalances and legal violations and informing management of any transgressions.
- Receiving and auditing field cards or the MEGA File (Middle Eastern Geodatabase for Antiquities) from national and foreign teams, archiving them, and subsequently granting them a clearance certificate.
- Monitoring entered archaeological sites at the Kingdom-wide level.
- Assisting the public.
- Entering data from information cards and following up on all archaeological sites discovered during organized, accidental, or rescue surveys and excavations, in cooperation with antiquities inspectors and archaeological teams in the Kingdom.
- Providing services to the public according to the due procedures.
- Archaeological Outreach Department:
- Preparing and distributing awareness materials, such as booklets and leaflets, that explain the importance of the Jordanian cultural heritage and the methods for its preservation.
- Organizing workshops and seminars directed at the local community, and lectures within educational institutions to introduce students to the importance of cultural heritage and the necessity of their participation in preservation efforts.
- Organizing archaeological awareness programs and working with civil society organizations to introduce the value of Jordanian cultural heritage and enhance awareness of the importance of its preservation and cooperating with universities and educational institutions to implement field-based awareness and training projects for university students.
- Enhancing national identity, spreading intellectual awareness, and delivering the message of Jordan to local visitors by telling the "Story of Jordan" in a simplified manner that resonates with all segments of society.