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JordanArchGardenArticleFinal
- 1. The Application of BotanicGarden Interpretive Methodology to Archaeological Site Interpretation by Stan Beikmann What possible relationshipcouldthere be betweenatraditional botanicgardenandanarchaeological site,one mightask? In examiningthe analogiesbetweenthem,there are more similaritiesthanone may expect. The surprise isthattraditional archaeological digsiteshave notdevelopedsimilarkindsof methodsfortheirsupportandlongterm sustainability,asthose foundinbotanicgardens. Oftenanarchaeological digisthe researchsite of a UniversityArchaeology/Anthropologydepartment whichmay goon for a numberof years,evendecades. Arrangementsare made withthe governing bodyto excavate the site,usuallyatthe expense of the researchorganization. Once the knowledgeand artifactsare discovered,studiedandpublished,the artifactsgotothe museumof the governingagency, or intostorage. The site isthenoftenvacated,abandonedorminimallyattendedtoforlongperiodsof time betweendigs. Therefore, the productof Archaeologyisuncoveringhistorical knowledgethatmay otherwise have been vague,lostor unknown. Indoingso,a story isextracted,of some important civilization intime, a significantcultural eventora physical place inhistory. Throughpainstakingexcavation,the storyis revealedandsupportedthroughthe physical remainsof the artifactsdiscovered. The artifactsandruins become the collection,muchthe same as a botanicgardenhas a “living” collection. The collectionis usedto educate visitorsandthe mannerinwhichone doesthis, issimilaralso. Whilethe dynamicsof an archaeological site andabotanicgardenare different,the methodsusedinthe interpretationand the purpose fordoingso,are much the same. While archaeological collectionsare mostlyinanimate, botanicgardenscollectionsare animate. Both howeverare usuallydisplayedfor knowledgeandinterpretation. Gardensare constructedfrom “groundup” usinglandscape designplans,whereasarchaeologyisexcavatedfrom“groundlevel down” usingcareful,longestablishedmethodsof the field. Bothgardensandarchaeological ruinsare sometimesreconstructed. Gardens take yearstomature andget betterwithage. Archaeological sites likewise require yearsof excavationtoreveal theirsecretsandalsohave more to interpretwithtime. One such archaeological site,isthatof Tall HisbaninJordanwhere archaeologistsfromAndrews UniversityinBerrienSprings,Michigan,have ledexcavationsforoverfourdecades.Dr. Oystein LaBianca,the currentseniordirectorof the project, invitedateamof Andrew’s landscape architecture studentsandfacultytothe site forthe firsttime in2012 and againin 2013, to participate inthe annual JordanFieldSchool. Hisobjectivewastoexplore the possibilitythatthe Tall Hisbansite mayhave beena royal garden. The Tall,locatednearMadaba at Hisban, isnearly885 meterstothe summit with evidence of terracesonitsslope. Since the earliestoccupationof the site,ahuge reservoirdating to the Iron Age periodca 900 BC has existed, whichmaysuggest thatitcouldhave beena royal retreat for a Kingsuch as Sihonor Solomon. The Jordan FieldSchool objectivewouldbe multi-fold: 1.) Explore the site forknownfeaturesof historical precedentsof royal gardens. 2.) Conducta plant surveyof socio-economicplantsused throughoutthe historyof the region andto compare themto Phytolithicplantsamplesfoundatthe Iron Age and otherexcavatedlevels. 3.) Developaplanforencouragingtourismandeducational interpretationonthe site. 4.) Studentscouldalsoreceive 6credits forclassesthatwouldbe offeredin Middle EastLandscape Historyand Urban Landscape Installation.
- 2. The firstobjective ison-goingandmaytakea few yearstodetermine. In2012, plantsurveysof indigenousplantsonthe Tall,were conductedbythe studentsanddocumented. Next,the students focusedonhowto re-interpretthe site forvisitorsandtolookat waysin which the successof botanic gardentourisminthe U.S. could be appliedhere in Jordan. The civilizationsthatoccupied Tall Hisban, spanneda periodfrom950 BC Iron Age to presentwithexcavatedlevelsrepresentingmultiple cultural periodsincludingOttoman,Mamluk,Medieval,Islamic,Byzantine, Roman, IronAge andmore. Here, there ismuch to share witha visitoraboutitshistory. The firstobservationrelatingtotourismandeducationwasthatthe entryto the site was non-descript. A small,square,utilitarian,one roombuildingwithtwosmall bathroomsonthe backside standsinside the gate. There are no museumcollectionstoview. There isnoattendantororientationtothe site whenyouarrive. There are no benchesforrelaxingorwaiting. There is noshade – in fact,little ambiance thatwouldsuggestthe amenitiesof apark. Nor wasthere a plannedtrail toleadyouthrough a logical,unfoldingstoryof the historyof the site. Insteadabroad, steeppathwithmultiplestairsled youimmediately tothe topof the acropolisbypassingmultiple levelsof civilizations thatare representedonthe site. The descentwasbythe same pathso that visitor, afterviewingthe ruinsof a Byzantine churchand a Romanstaircase,mightwonderwhy theybotheredtostophere. A few signs were evidentatthe mostnoteworthyruins,providingminimal information. So inthe firstyear here,the AndrewsUniversitylandscape designprogramstudents laidouta wide new interpretive trail alongthe gentlyrisingcontoursthattookin the sitesandviewsof eachof the cultural periods,asyouprogressedtowardthe summit. Eachattraction (periodruins) alongthe way, wassigned witha newinterpretationaboutthe site, makingevenaself-guidedtoureducationallysatisfying. At the top,an amphitheaterwasconstructedof large rectangularstonesandpositionedtooverlookthe acropolis,where discussionsaboutthe featuredByzantine ChurchandIslamicGovernor’s quarterscould be sharedwithvisitors. Nextthe studentsredesigned the entrybuilding. The buildingwouldincludeupgradedbathrooms,a drinkingfountainandbenchesin the shade fromaconnecting grape arborthat would create an attractive entrywith landscape plants…somethingthatwouldsaythe visitorhas arrivedata place of significance. An orientationareatoseata bus-loadof visitorswouldbe needed,before startingupthe interpretive trail toreveal the story of Tall Hisban. A naturally contoured bowl,lessthan20 meters fromthe entry waschosen. The area was deemedarchaeologically non-descriptsothatit couldbe built. The studentsdesignedasemi-circularamphitheaterintothe slopedsides of the bowl using three terracesof large, square stones,enoughtoseatabusloador groupof fiftyormore visitorsat once.Their inspirationcame from the “Council Rings”of SwedishLandscape Architect, JensJensen’serainChicago. To contribute interesttothe visitorexperience,a Socio-Economicgardenwouldbe placedinthe center circle of the amphitheater,surroundinga large,stone carved, water-storagetrough. The troughis representative of the many watercollectionmethodsusedinJordanianhistoryincludingmanycisterns and the huge reservoirpresentonthe site. Permissionwasgrantedtoalsorepurpose arandom assortmentof twelve columnsbeingstoredatthatlocation. These were usedtooutline the garden, give prominence tothe site andcreate an archaeological frontispiece for Tall Hisban. In the 2013 Jordan FieldSchool,studentsof the landscape programreturnedandthe proposedgarden and amphitheaterwasconstructed.The circulargardenwasplantedwith socio-economicplantsusedin the daily livesfromancientpeoplestopresent.These includeplantsfor:food,seasonings,teas, medicines,textiles,dyes,soaps,cosmetics, extractsforgluesandadhesivesetc., alongwithinterpretive signsgivingthe commonnames inbothArabicand Englishalongwiththeirregional uses. The plants
- 3. chosenwere determinedthrough surveysandinterviewswithlocal shepherdsof varyingtribes,herbal shopkeepersandcitizens of Madabaand Hisban. Anethnographerassistedinthisprocesstoverifytheir use and establishthe correctArabicnamesforthese plants. Seatedhere in the newamphitheater, afterarrivingonthe site,the guide can now give atwenty minute orientation on whattheyare about to see andexperience - fromancienttimestopresent. Visitors can thentour the gardenand begintheirwayupa new,gentlyrisingpathtothe leftratherthanstraightup the hill. The newpathis 3 m. wide andbroad enoughfora largertour group. The new path tracesa progressionof civilizationstooccupythissite,fromthe mostrecent, tothe earliest–that of an Iron Age royal garden. The tour beginswithviewingthe remainsof anOttomanfarmhouse thatdatesto 16th -17th century AD., thenonto a Mamlukvillage ruins of 12-16th CenturiesAD,andup to the NorthGate of an Hellenisticwall tothe acropolis. The walledfortressthatprotectsthe acropolisdatesto332-63 BC. Here an Islamicchurch once stoodand during ancienttimes,aMamluk Governor’sheadquartersand residence of 13th century, includedaheated bath. Ancientstone troughs,anolivepressandvaulted store roomscan still be viewedinthe Governor’squarters. The predominantfeature is the foundations and columnsof a Byzantine Church, 324-661 BC, the footprintof whichisreadilyvisible fromdecadesof excavation. Waterstorage cisternsandholdingwellsdotthe entire Tall including, inside the structures that once occupiedthe acropolis. Then, one descendsagrandRomanstone staircase to a plazathat is believedtohave once beenamarketplace inRomantimes. Cavesand roomsare also honeycombedbeneath the acropolisfloor,usedforlivingandstorage of water and food. A limekilnisevidentfrom the Byzantine erasuperimposedoveragiantreservoirdatingtothe Iron Age or approximately 950 AD. The reservoirisbelievedtohave supportedgardensand terraces usedincrop productionfora royal suchas KingSolomonwhose palace inJerusalemrequired of the province of Heshbon anannual measure of foodduringhisreign. The court of Solomonandits entourage consumedinone day“30 measuresof fine flour,60measuresof meal,10 fat oxen,20 oxen out of pasturesand 100 sheepbesideshartsandroebucksandfallow deerandfattedfowl” IKings4:22- 23 Finally,itistime todescendthe Tall. A seriesof storiesof several civilizationshasbeentoldandasone returnsto the entry,a moderndayAjarmahtribe animal pencomesintoview,notingthe relationship of the past withthe present- of the everpresentshepherdsstill tending theirflocksof sheepandgoats on the hillsof Jordan. Criticsmay askwhat landscape architecture hastodo withArchaeologyandwhatcanit contribute? Interestingly,PetrahasemployedaLandscape Architectontheirteambecause the individual istrained to lookat the archaeological site differentlythanananthropologistoranarchaeologist would. The landscape professional,looksatthe socio-economicuse of plantsof the site to explainthe survival of its native peoples. Studiesof the successiongrowthof endemics inthe region andirrigationsystemsthat have evolved,are done todetermine what mayhave sustainedplantsandpeople. Anarchaeologistmay see a stone carvedtrenchin the bedrockandsuggestit wasa defensivemoat,albeittoosmall. A landscape architectsees itandsuggestsitwasa stone cut planterthatalongwithterraceson the hillsides couldbe seenas partof a royal garden inwhichrare, importedplantsmayhave beengrown. Landscape historynotesthatit wasthe custom of the Kingsof the Middle East, to collectplantsfromfar off expeditions andmilitarycampaigns. Growingthese rare andnew plantsintheirroyal gardenswasa showof powerand demonstratedthe KingorPharaohto be at the headof the agricultural economy.
- 4. Irrigationandwaterharvestingwasalsoan integral partofthese gardensandthe king’seffectiveness was oftenmeasuredbyhowmuchnewfarmlandcouldbe irrigatedinhiscountry. Landscape professionalsare keenlyaware of how importanttourismisin sustaininganon-profitsite, whetheritbe a botanical gardenor an archaeological park. Exhibitsmustbe createdtoattract and hold a visitor’sinterest. In Jordan, inthe absence of oil, the primaryresource is tourismandagriculture. The more youhave to interpret,the betterthe experience. How itisinterpretedalsobecomes important. Itis amazinghowdynamicthe displaysof the ChicagoField Museumare,comparedtothe surprisingly ordinary andantiquated presentationof some of the world’smostextraordinaryartifactsat the Cairo, Museumfor example. Justimagine how innovativecreativity,wellinterpreteddisplaysand an international marketingprogram,couldimprove the visitationandrevenueinCairo. As a precedentforwhathasbeenrecentlydone bythe AndrewsUniversitystudentteamat Tall Hisban, one may lookto the Citadel inAmman. Here,atthe visitor’sentry, remnantartifactsare staged intoa type of sculptural representationorpark theme. Hard core archaeologistmayargue that thisisagainst the philosophy of the profession. Is itbetterto letthese artifacts(beautiful astheymaybe) languishin the bone pile outback fordecadeswhere noone visitorcanappreciate them? Some of the most beautiful piecesof stone carving canbe observed “overthe fence”of bone yardsat QueenHatshepsut’s tomb,Jerashand otherswhere the casual visitorwouldneverotherwisesee them. Sowhynot use themif it enhancesthe visitorexperience.Atthe Citadel,entiretourgroups can be observed, having theirphototakeninfrontof such an eclecticexhibit. If fundsbecome available toreconstruct orrestore these piecestotheirrightful place,the institutionstillknowsexactlywhere theyare. Otherexamplesare the beautiful new circularplazaatthe entry to the EdfuTemple of HorusinEgypt and an outdoorgardenat the Madaba Archaeological MuseuminJordan. Archaeological sculptures and stone artifactsare displayedinaseriesof landscaped gardenbeds, integratingthe beautyof plants witharchaeological interestsandsettingthe stage forthe restof the tour. Of course,a surveyof any archaeological site mustbe done priortorepurposinganychosen locationonthe site fora tourist interestpoint. At Tall Hisban,the newattractionwasdone withthe approval of the Archaeological Directorand incollaboration withseveral ministriesincludingthe JordanianDepartmentof Antiquities. Finally,historyisfullof howimportantAgricultureandHorticulture wastothe ancients.Youmightsay that agriculture sustainedmanwhichbegatsurplusproduce, whichbegaturbanizationwhichbegat economyandwealth. Landscape historyshadowscivilizationsjustasarchitectural historydoesandis justas importantan ingredientof the Archaeological Park. If the park isto survive asa touristattraction insteadof a forgottenexcavationsitethatonlyserved assomeone’sresearchproject, itlikewise must be designedinaway thatwill make ita destinationpointfor visitors. Like a botanicgarden,it mustbe both sustainable andprofitable. AsaPark,it mustcomplementthe site withoutinterferingorcompromisingthe missionof archaeology. Itmustserve asaneducational site by offeringnotonlytours,butinthe future lectures,workshops,amuseumandan agricultural heritage center. It mustalsoserve a broaderaudience thenlocal orprofessionalinterests. Andfinallyitmust– dare we sayit--evenbe entertaining;adestination togoto, for a holidayor a familyouting.