Friends of Archaeology marks 60th anniversary

AMMAN ­­— The Friends of Archaeology and Heritage (FoAH) was founded in 1957 by a small group of Jordanian and non-Jordanian archaeologists and residents who wanted to expand awareness and enjoyment of Jordan's rich heritage among the general public, said its president Sharifa Nofa Bin Nasser at the inauguration of the permanent facilities of the FoAH at Hussein Park in Amman last Tuesday. 

The event marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of FoAH and the inauguration of new premises provided by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), then headed by the former mayor Akel Biltaji, Sharifa Nofa noted. The society also partnered with The Museums With No Frontiers on “at least three” major projects.

The inauguration was attended by HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, deputy of HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, director of the Department of Antiquities, Munther Jamhawe, President of GAM Committe Yousef Shawarbeh, ambassadors, diplomats, local scholars and members of international research centres based in Amman. 

The FoAH is a voluntary non-governmental, non-profit organisation that promotes "greater understanding of archaeology and the importance of the preservation and conservation of Jordanian national heritage, by introducing members and guests to various issues related to archaeology and heritage", Sharifa Nofa noted. 

She added that it is achieved by "organising field trips to archaeological and cultural sites inside and outside Jordan, in addition to hosting lectures related to this sector in both Arabic and English, presented by professors and experts in these fields". 

"FoAH continues to advocate for the protection of cultural resources by acting as a 'monitor' and through the implementation of different projects in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Department of Antiquities, the GAM, international archaeological centres in Amman and UNESCO," the sharifa underlined. 

"I would also like to mention the Archaeology Club at The Ahliyyah School for Girls, where we have worked together to raise a generation that is concerned with its national heritage," Sharifa Nofa continued:"We hope that the idea of the archaeology clubs will be spread throughout the Kingdom’s schools."