Zarqa Archaeological Museum
Az Zarqā’
The Zarqa Archaeological Museum in Az Zarqā’, Jordan, is dedicated to preserving and presenting artifacts from the nearby Ayn Ghazal archaeological site, a significant Neolithic settlement. Ayn Ghazal, dating back to around 7000 BCE, was one of the largest early farming villages in the Levant, inhabited by thousands during its prime. The museum exhibits include some of the oldest large-sized statues ever found, known as the ʿAin Ghazal statues, alongside tools, pottery, and everyday items that reveal the agricultural and herding lifestyle of its ancient inhabitants. The site itself is notable for its rectangular mud-brick houses and lime-plastered interiors, reflecting early architectural practices. The museum provides insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities, highlighting the development of social structures and economic activities such as cereal cultivation and animal domestication. Visitors can explore the environmental context of Ayn Ghazal, situated near the Zarqa River, which supported its population despite climatic challenges. The museum serves as a cultural hub that connects modern visitors with one of the earliest chapters of human civilization in Jordan.
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Consiglio: Visitors are advised to check the museum's opening hours in advance and consider visiting during weekdays for a quieter experience. Booking tickets ahead is recommended during peak tourist seasons. The museum may offer discounts for students and groups, so inquire at the entrance. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested as the exhibits cover extensive archaeological findings. Guided tours can enhance understanding of the Neolithic period and Ayn Ghazal's significance.
Fatti interessanti
- •The ʿAin Ghazal statues found near Zarqa are among the oldest large-scale human statues worldwide, dating back to around 7000 BCE.
- •Ayn Ghazal was significantly larger and more populous than contemporary sites like Jericho during its prime.
- •The settlement was built with rectangular mud-brick houses featuring lime-plastered interiors renewed every few years.
- •The population decline after 6500 BCE correlates with the 8.2 kilo-year climatic event, a major environmental shift.
- •Archaeological evidence shows a diverse diet including cultivated cereals, legumes, domesticated goats, and hunted wild animals.
Storia
Ayn Ghazal was established during the Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period around 10,300 BP and thrived until about 9,550 BP.
It evolved from a modest aceramic village into a large farming community by 7000 BCE, supporting up to 3,000 inhabitants.
The settlement experienced a sharp population decline after 6500 BCE, likely due to environmental degradation and climatic events such as the 8.2 kilo-year event.
Over centuries, the site reflects the broader Neolithic transition in the Near East from mobile hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural societies.
The artifacts discovered have provided valuable understanding of early human social and economic development.
Guida del luogo
ʿAin Ghazal Statues Exhibitc. 7000 BCE
This exhibit showcases the remarkable plaster statues discovered at Ayn Ghazal, representing some of the earliest large-scale human figurines, reflecting prehistoric artistic expression and social symbolism.
Neolithic Tools and Potterycirca 7000-5000 BCE
Displays a variety of tools and pottery used by Ayn Ghazal inhabitants, illustrating their daily life, agricultural practices, and technological advancements during the Neolithic period.
Settlement Architecture ModelNeolithic period
A detailed model depicting the rectangular mud-brick houses with lime-plastered interiors typical of Ayn Ghazal, demonstrating early architectural techniques and community planning.
Contatto
Telefono: (06) 463 8795
