Petra’s Ad-Deir Monument
May 1 - June 15, 2026
other
The Ad-Deir Monument and Plateau Project has been tasked by the Jordanian government with trying to reduce the seasonal damage to the Ad-Deir Monument by excavating, studying, and restoring the Nabataean structures that protected the Monument in antiquity. The Ad-Deir Monument is the largest rock cut facade in Petra and an iconic symbol of Jordan’s historic past. After GPS linked drone and pedestrian mapping of the Plateau, the project has focused on four major sites on the Plateau including the Great Circle (the largest known circular water control structure in a desert environment in the world), the Eastern Cliff Cisterns, the North Temenos Slot Entrance into the courtyard of the Monument, and the Outer Ring Area of the Great Circle itself. These excavations have yielded massive amounts of ancient pottery, coinage and other artifacts that allow for a new interpretation of Petra’s history as well as venues to train volunteers not only in archaeological excavation but pottery processing, coin analysis, as well as other lab processing skills and collections management.
The goals for the 2026 season include continued excavation and restoration of the Great Circle and Eastern Cliff Cistern C.1 as well as a recently discovered plaza in front of the Cliff cisterns themselves that may be associated with the as yet unexcavated North Temple of Ad-Deir. Volunteers are actively engaged in all aspects of the project as well as weekend field trips to the other important sites in Jordan including Jerash, Mt. Nebo and Madaba, Machaerus, Karak and Shobak crusader castles, and Wadi Rum.
Details
Dates of the Dig
May 1 - June 15, 2026
Minimum Stay
3 weeks
Application Due
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution
Yes / 3 with the permission of a student’s current institution / Must be arranged with a student’s current institution
Accommodations
Umm Sayhun Bed and Breakfast Bedouin Housing. Single or double rooms. Double room discount available.
Cost
Directors
Director: Dr. Cynthia Finlayson, recently retired after 25 years at BYU, now President/CEO of LAPIS:Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Foundation
