Tulul Abu al-Alayiq

Along the Wadi Qelt in Jericho, this site is where the Hasmonian kings and Herod the Great built their winter palaces to escape the cool, damp winters in Jerusalem. Beginning with John Hyrcanus I (or perhaps with his father Simeon), the Hasmonean kings established a royal estate, growing and processing dates and balsam. A large palace, built through seven stages was built at the southern end of the estate. Adjacent to the palace is perhaps the earliest surviving synagogue.

Herod the Great choose the same area for his three palaces. The first palace was built to the south of the Wadi Qelt and is not included in the virtual tour of the site. The second palace was built near the Hasmonean palace and incorporated some of its remains into it. The third palace was Herod's most ambitious and it bridges the Wadi Qelt. Unfortunately, most of the southern extension of the palace is not longer visible.

Hatzeva and Mar Elias

Two sites in the Virtual World Project have recently been updated. Mar Elias is large, five-aisle church and monastery in Jordan near the traditional home town of the prophet Elijah. 

Hatzeva is a series of fortresses in the Arabah, south of the Dead Sea. Many new photos were added to this site.

Kallirrhoë

Kallirrhoë is located at the hot springs of ‘Ain ez-Zara on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. Herod the Great built a palace along the shore and visited the site just before his death. A smaller Byzantine villa was built over the ruins of Herod’s palace, and the site appears on the mosaic Madaba map. Although poorly preserved, enough of the foundations remain to give the visitor a clear representation of the plan of the place. 

Nitl

Nitl is the home of the ecclesiastical complex of Saint Serguis, a double church and chapel belonging to the Banu Ghassan, Arab foederati (mercenaries) of the Byzantine empire. The town is located a short distance from Madaba in central Jordan and provides new information for understanding the Banu Ghassan.

Qastal

Built along the pilgrimage road from Damascus to Mecca, this Umayyad palace has not fared so well over the years. In fact, a large modern house was built over the ruins of the northeastern quarter of the palace. But recently, the Department of Antiquities has cleaned up the site and glimpses of its once grand appearance are now possible.

Come and visit the site, and imagine the grandeur of previous era.

Ain es-Sil

Once thought to be a Roman period fort, this so-called “desert castle” is a Umayyad period farmstead. It consists of a main building, with several of the rooms devoted to agricultural production, a bath suite, and little-understood subsidiary buildings.

Come take a visit to this small site in eastern Jordan.

Hayyam al-Mushref

Hayyam al-Mushref is a largely unexcavated Byzantine and later town in northern Jordan. Numerous churches have been identified, and the main church - the cathedral - has been excavated and is included this the Virtual World Project. When you visit the church, note the preserved mosaics on the bema and the baptisimal font in the baptistry.