Aerial shot of the shafts that make up part of the ancient water system.

The first time I visited Udhruh was in 2020. I was on my way to meet a joint Dutch-Jordanian archaeological research team, supported by a small embassy fund, as part of the ‘Udhruh Archaeological Research Project’. The team was studying the village of Udhruh, which houses a huge Roman legionary fortress, and one of the most complete and well-preserved ancient water harvesting systems in the world.Preliminary findings from the project show that our ancestors found a way to make the desert bloom, through innovative water techniques. Driving into Udhruh, this is hard to imagine. The landscape greets you with vast, empty expanses of dry and barren land – offering little sign of the innovation it once nurtured.

Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by Dr. Fawzi Abu Danah and Dr. Mark Driessen. Fawzi, a professor at the Hussein bin Talal University, was born and raised in Udhruh and has dedicated the better part of his career exploring the history of this region. Together with Professor Mark, from Leiden University - a leading Dutch university - they launched the ‘Udhruh Archeological Research Project’ in 2011.

For over 13 years, Fawzi, Mark and their students have studied the ancient water harvesting and subterranean structures that allowed ancient civilisations to thrive in this very arid area of the Petra hinterland. These systems, dating back 2,000 years, are believed to have been first constructed by the Nabataeans and later used by the Romans and Byzantines.

 

Dr. Mark (left) and Dr. Fawzi (center) show HRH Prince Hassan (right) around the fortress of Udhruh. 

Spanning an area of 7.5 – 8 km², the system is made up of 231 shafts, each dug 18-20 metres deep into the limestone, and spaced 20-30 metres apart. Beneath the shafts lies a horizontal water channel, designed to collect and transport the water for kilometers.

Standing at the sight, you would not be able to believe that this intricate systems lies just beneath your feet. The ingenuity of our ancestors, and their ability to create such a system without modern tools or technology is truly awe-inspiring. How the system was built and why it was abandoned remain a mystery- ones that Fawzi and Mark hope to solve, or at least, better understand  through their excavations and research.

Udhruh is truly a remarkable site, rich in history and knowledge that offers valuable insights into ancient water management practices.  By learning from their methods, maybe we can address today’s water and climate challenges, and contribute to strengthening Jordan's resilience.

 One of the shafts being excavated.

Since 2020, the embassy has supported the Udhruh Archaeological Project with three rounds of funding, recognizing the potential of these ancient innovations to inspire modern solutions. By supporting joint Dutch-Jordanian initiatives like this, we foster the power of cooperation and partnership to tackle global issues, including water scarcity and climate resilience, which are key priorities for the Dutch embassy in Jordan.

Funding from the embassy is also being used to explore the site’s tourism potential, aiming to contribute to Udhruh’s economic development and sustainability.

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To find out more about the Udhruh Archaeological Project:

https://jordantimes.com/news/local/highlighting-dutch-jordanian-archaeological-cooperation-udhruh

https://jordantimes.com/news/local/dutch-team-reveals-network-watchtowers-around-udhruh-fortress

https://jordantimes.com/news/local/dutch-jordanian-team-studies-2000-year-old-qanat-network-near-udhruh