Khaberni - Dr. Fawzi Abu Danneh, Director of the Department of Antiquities, has resolved the controversy that has accompanied the circulation of video clips showing digging and rock cavities in areas of the capital Amman, especially Wadi As-Seer and Al-Qweismeh, amidst circulating claims about the existence of treasures and gold underground, clarifying the reality of what is happening and warning against the dangers of random treasure hunting.
Abu Danneh said that the digging shown in certain areas does not necessarily indicate the presence of treasures or archaeological treasures, explaining that the Department of Antiquities receives nearly weekly reports related to cavities, rock erosions, and archaeological landmarks, in light of the tens of thousands of archaeological sites and landmarks in various regions of the kingdom.
The cave in Wadi As-Seer stirs controversy.. and the antiquities reveal the truth
Abu Danneh clarified that the cave discussed in Wadi As-Seer does not contain gold, confirming that the cavity therein is natural and has been known to specialists for hundreds of years, and thus the presence of a void or cavity in the ground does not automatically mean the existence of buried treasures or valuable treasures.
He noted that the spread of video clips of digging in the Baidar area of Wadi As-Seer, along with claims about people searching for gold treasures, reflects what is popularly known as "Al-Bahisha"; these are random and unscientific searches for treasures and treasures, emphasizing that such practices can cause significant damage to archaeological sites.
He pointed out that the problem is not only related to the possibility of damaging an archaeological piece but also extends to the loss of scientific and historical information that cannot be replaced. The study of archaeological sites depends on the layers and context in which the pieces and landmarks exist, not just finding the piece itself.
Abu Danneh noted that Jordan has a large number of archaeological sites, including sites that have not been discovered yet and others that have not been studied sufficiently, affirming that archaeological layers are still hidden in various areas of the kingdom, which makes random digging a real danger to the civilizational heritage.
Warning against unauthorized digging.. and the antiquities reveal the value of "real gold"
Abu Danneh confirmed that Jordan's history spans thousands of years, and the continuous interaction between humans and the land has produced a diverse civilizational heritage that has accumulated layers over the ages. This makes every archaeological site of scientific and historical value that exceeds the value of the pieces that treasure seekers might find.
He warned against assaults on archaeological sites or carrying out digging and searching activities without obtaining the necessary legal approvals, explaining that the law imposes penalties for unauthorized digging and searching activities, which may include imprisonment from one year to three years, in addition to a financial penalty of up to 3000 dinar.
And he emphasized that "antiquities are the real gold", explaining that tampering with archaeological sites not only leads to the loss of pieces and landmarks but can also result in the loss of a part of history, identity, and the civilizational depth of Jordan.
In another context, Abu Danneh confirmed that the idea of creating a museum that houses all of Jordan's antiquities will be studied, similar to the experience of a neighboring country, which would allow for collecting and displaying a significant part of the Jordanian archaeological heritage in an organized manner that enables the public to learn about the history of the kingdom and its civilizational development.
He also discussed the cable car project on Jabal Al-Qala, explaining that the implementation of the project will not affect archaeological sites, and that the site of the cable car has been investigated and studied from an archaeological perspective, emphasizing that there are no archaeological findings at the designated site for the cable car.
