‘Cultural exchange between Jordan, Greece over 10,000 years old’

AMMAN — Cultural and economic interaction between Jordan and Europe, particularly Greece, dates back over 10,000 years in history, according to a field expert.

Greek archaeologist Konstantinos Politis said the communication between the two nations started when early humans sought to exchange goods. 

“Early humans [from Europe] moved around the Mediterranean basin… this movement has connected countries like Jordan and Palestine to Europe,” he told a full-house hall at a recent lecture held at Jordan Museum. 

Politis estimated the age of the ties to “actually” be as old as 100,000 years.

“A strong proof of the connection is the spread of the domestication of plants and animals… practising the same activity in the two areas can only happen as a result of human contact,” he said. 

The archaeologist added that modern scientific studies and DNA analysis of belongings of inhabitants in the two countries also proved that connection.

Bronze Age pottery found in Jordan, in places like Pella and the Jordan Valley, in addition to Palestine and Syria, matched those found in Anatolia, Greece and Cyprus, he explained.

On the sidelines of the lecture, the audience took a tour in the museum that portrays life in Jordan since the Old Stone Age. 

Sharifa Nofa Bint Nasser, director of Jordan Museum, said such a “big project” seeks to enhance the cultural heritage in the Kingdom, adding that the completion of the museum needs further assistance from individuals and groups.

“We urge visitors to encourage their friends and family members to visit the museum and take the time to enjoy the exhibited items,” she said. 

Greek Ambassador to Jordan Maria Louisa Marinakis highlighted her country’s keenness on boosting ties with Jordan.

“From prehistoric times until the establishment of the modern Greek state, Greek history remained as a unique civilisation over thousands of years, not only on Greek soil but wherever the Greeks have lived and prospered,” she said.

Furthermore, she highlighted the role of Greek inventions and ideologies in developing humanity. 

“Alphabet, democracy, theatre, physics, astronomy, athletics are some of the Greek inventions,” she noted.

“Thousands of words used in European languages come from the Greek language, it’s estimated that 12 per cent of the English vocabulary is of Greek origin,” she added.