Project Name: Finnish Jabal Haroun Project/ Petra
Duration: July 26-August 28, 2003 (sixth season)
Number of workmen: 34 archaeologists, cartographers and conservators and 25 local workmen
Director: Prof. Jaakko Frösén, University of Helsinki
Geographical Location: ca 5 km SW of Petra in southern Jordan

The focus of investigations of the FJHP is the Byzantine monastic/pilgrimage center, most probably dedicated to St. Aaron and dated to the 5th-8th centuries A.D.. The site is located on a high plateau below the summit of the Mountain of Aaron (Jabal Haroun) near Petra in southern Jordan. According to the Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition, the mountain is believed to be the burial place of Aaron, Moses' brother. The location of the site is also important with regard to the neighbouring ancient city of Petra. One of the main ancient caravan routes (from Egypt and Sinai northward) to Petra passes by the southern slopes of the mountain. It is also understood that the site must have been visited by pilgrims from the entire region during and after the existence of the Byzantine monastery there. Equally, it should be recognized that in addition to the apparent religious significance of the site, it posesses also a tremendous potential for the development of tourism: the wild yet spectacular landscape, enchanced now by the discovery and exposure of a large ancient monastic complex.

The 2003 activities included the excavations, conservation, and the survey. The excavation work was conducted in five trenches. Trench U exposed the east-central part of the nave and the eastern part of the northern aisle of the basilical church. Trench W revealed the remains of a large room located in the SW corner of the monastic center. Trench V provided evidence on the occupational history of the area directly west of the chapel. Trench X covered the area of the northern aisle of the church, which became the northern atrium in the later phase. Trench Y, located in the chapel, exposed its central part, including the northern portion of the apse area. A well-preserved masonry-built, cruciform baptismal font was found in the northern corner of the bema. Additionally, the investigations continued in previously excavated Trench H, where the southernmost part of the narthex was exposed. Major consolidation and conservation work was performed in the area of the church and the chapel. The consolidation of wall and bench plaster in other areas of the site was also continued.

The survey of the 2003 Finnish Jabal Haroun Project season continued on the southeastern and eastern part of the mountain. The survey continued to document barrages and terrace walls in the area by using digital photographs. Additionally, surface collection was conducted in the area of the plateau of the mountain, around the monastic site. Altogether, 48 new sites, including 2 lithics sites, 13 barrage system sites, 15 terrace wall systems, and several building remains, enclosures and cisterns. Most dated to the Nabataean period.

The FJHP 2003 fieldwork season has provided a substantial amount of information concerning the site and its environs, which will be properly studied and assessed in the nearest future. As before, the evidence strongly indicates that the monastic complex continued its existence well into the Early Islamic period. Particularly important is the discovery of the second baptismal font at the site (the third one known from southern Jordan), which confirms the importance of the site in terms of receiving large numbers of pilgrims (including those to be baptised). Of equal importance is the information recovered from the area of the church and the chapel, which allowed for some substantial reconsideration of the architectural phases of these structures. This information, together with previously collected data at the site, will be particularly helpful to begin the publication phase of the project which will include the first volume in the series, specifically concerning the church and the chapel.

Prof. Jaakko Frösén, FJHP Director

Dr. Zbigniew T. Fiema, FJHP Chief Archaeologist