Information 2022

WELCOME to the Madaba Regional Archaeological Museum Project (MRAMP)-2022

The directors of the MADABA REGIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM PROJECT (MRAMP) want to extend a warm welcome to you as we plan for a three-week season in May 2022 in the proposed site for a new archaeological museum in the city of Madaba in the central part of the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Ahlan w' Sahlan — Welcome!

The 2022 version of this project is a small one, designed for a limited group of specialists and volunteers. Thus, participation opportunities are limited. If you have questions, please email dclark@lasierra.edu. Funding for the project comes from several international governmental and foundation sources, as well as La Sierra Univeristy (Riverside, CA), Gannon University (Erie, PA), Perugia University (Perugia, Italy), Sapienza University of Rome (Rome, Italy), and participant fees.

The larger MRAMP project was initiated in 2015; benefitted from more than $500,000 in grants from USAID, the US Department of State, and Italian international aid agencies; and has accomplished a number of tasks related to the establishment of a new regional archaeological museum and the repurposing of the current museum into a storage and research facility. Some of the project's outcomes can be seen by visiting the following URLs:

http://www.madabamuseum.org/en -- The official MRAM/MRAMP website (Arabic also available), housing all knds of background and digital resources which are engaging to explore.

https://cyark.org/projects/madaba/overview -- A virtual tour of three archaeological locations in Madaba with local tour guides and storytellers from the city.

https://www.youtube.com -- On YouTube, type in "Madaba Mondays" for conversations about preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

Project Dates

Season 15-27 May 2022

While the 2022 expedition will last from Sunday 15 May through Friday 27 May, all participants are expected to arrive by Friday or Saturday, 13 or 14 May for an orientation and instructional meeting which will start first thing Sunday morning. You are welcome to arrive in Jordan earlier or stay longer than the dates of the project, but you will need to provide for your own accommodations before Friday 13 May and after Friday 27 May.

Note: All MRAMP forms are entirely digital and need to be submitted online, including digital signature forms. Look these over carefully. In the process, use the dating system of Day (numerals) Month (spelled out in alphabetic letters, abbreviated if you wish) Year (full, numerals) -- for example, 1 February 2022.

THE FORMS:

     Security Form (ABSOLUTE DEADLINE - 1 February 2022)

     Application Form 

     Medical Form

     Assumption of Risk Form

     Flight Arrival/Departure Form

Deadlines

1 FEBRUARY 2022 for Security Form (NO EXCEPTIONS).
1 MARCH 2022 for application form.
1 APRIL 2022 for all other forms and payment of fees, if applicable.

PLAN AHEAD!

Costs

Participation Costs --

While MRAMP attempts to cover most in-country, project-related expenses, depending on available funding, participants should plan on paying for hotel accommodations in the Mariam Hotel in Madaba -- $800 for a single room and $600/person for a double room.

Participants must also care for their own international transportation and non-project-related expenses in Jordan.

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE PROJECT

Applicants are typically college age (upper-division is best) or older and should be in GOOD HEALTH. The work is not easy nor always enjoyable and allows little free time during the week. Given the hard work which an excavation demands, a pleasant, congenial attitude on the part of participants is always helpful, in fact, necessary.

Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Participation/Opportunities

The 2022 MRAMP season is the fourth and final stage of a long-term endeavor to establish a new archaeological museum in the heart of the ancient/modern city of Madaba, within a block of the city's major tourist attraction, St. George's Church, or the Madaba Mosaic Map Church. The current archaeological museum is near the edge of town and is in the final stages of a major renovation and repurposing operation, turning it into a newly updated storage and research facility, including two display rooms, one each for ancient and for folklore artifacts.

In cooperaton with architects working on the new museum design and infrastructure, our small team will be clearing and cleaning and excavating in the area of what is called the Madaba Archaeological Park West. Enclosed in the park are several 20th-century structures, segments of a nicely preserved paved Roman roadway and plaza, a complete Byzantine church and palace, and large traditional (late 19th-century) houses. Specifically, in 2022, we are excavating beneath a much more recent and poorly constructed cinderblock building purchased by the Department of Antiquities and demolished. We will follow best-practice methods of excavating and clearing as we prepare the site for further development into the proposed new museum. We expect to excavate through Early Islamic and Byzantine strata in a rather limited area. This year's endeavor is urgent in order to keep the larger MRAMP project on course to begin construction of the new museum.

Travel Arrangements

All travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the participant. If need be, contact one of the directors for help.

Passports

All participants must be in possession of a valid passport issued by their respective government, which will not expire within a period of six months of your departure from Jordan. Applications for United States citizens are usually accepted in federal buildings of large cities (where it may take up to six weeks to obtain) or county seats (where it may take up to two months). The fee for a U.S. Passport (valid for ten years) is currently $130. Do not delay in the process of obtaining your passport if you do not have a valid one.

Jordanian Visa

The Jordanian visa costs JD 40 (approximately $56 US) and can be obtained extremely easily and quickly for American, Canadian, and most European citizens at the Amman airport (go first to the clearly marked area for visa purchases where you can use a VISA credit card, but then you may also want to stop by an exchange desk to get a few Jordanian Dinars [JDs] for minor, general expenses while in the country, maybe JD 100 [=$141] and then to the long line of customs desks). Participants may wish to contact the Jordanian embassy or a consulate office and procure a visa before arrival, but airport Visa purchases are simple and straightforward. For answers to specific questions, please consult a Jordanian embassy or consulate at your very earliest convenience.

Another really appealing option is the purchase of what is known as the Jordan Pass (https://www.jordanpass.jo). It costs $100 and covers the entry visa at the Amman airport as well as entry into 40 archaeological sites, including Petra (cost of $106 if you want two days in Petra). You will still want to exchange some money into JDs at the airport or at ATMs there or in Madaba, but the Jordan Pass is the way to go! It will take you straight through the area marked for visa purchases, but you will need your passport stamped as does everyone else at the customs desks. The pass lasts for two weeks following its first use at one of the sites covered.

Insurance

Volunteers and staff members must arrange for their own medical/accident insurance. INSURANCE IS REQUIRED of all participants. There are organizations that provide inexpensive insurance coverage for varying periods of time, some with a specific focus on traveling college/university students. Check with a local insurance or travel agent or with one of the directors.

Vaccinations (especially COVID protocols)

Vaccination certificates are no longer required in Jordan. For your added safety, however, you will need to have a recent Tetanus booster (good for three to eight years) because of excavation activities and we stongly advise you to be protected by the following inoculations: Cholera (good for six months) and Typhoid and Diphtheria (good for ca. three years). Some physicians also recommend gamma globulin shots (good for four to six months) as a protection against hepatitis. For any or all of the above, follow the advice of your physician. See below for more health information and online links to the Centers for Disease Control.

Of course, it is COVID vaccinations and tests that matter the most right now. Do not be caught off-guard by keeping up with the latest COVID information and requirements for arriving in Jordan and returning to the US or Canada or Europe. Protocols related to COVID are in constant flux, so check with your airline or, if you are American, go to the US Embassy website for the latest (https://jo.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/).

What to bring

  • Luggage: On international economy flights the baggage allowance is normally two suitcases plus one carry-on. Airlines have begun tightening up on luggage limits, so pack light! Some charge for checked luggage. It is advisable to use lightweight but sturdy suitcases which can withstand rough handling by baggage guerillas. And be sure to check the latest luggage stipulations from your airline company online.
  • Clothing and Personal Supplies: Those who have had no experience in overseas travel and/or archaeological work may not be certain what clothing and sundries they should bring with them. Following is a list of general items to keep in mind as you plan for your trip, but it is obviously subjective and will need tailoring to your specific needs. Most people are prone to take more luggage than they need. Pack light!
  • Work clothes (brown tones show dirt less than do some other colors like extremely light or dark shades): For example, two pairs of work pants (no shorts, which may be offensive to Arabs with whom we work) and three or four light-weight shirts or blouses (with long sleeves for protection against the sun).
  • Sport clothes. Archaeologists are honored guests in Jordan and we may be invited to attend social functions which typically require nice clothes. Nothing formal is required, only nice.
  • Work shoes or boots. It is helpful if your shoes have fairly smooth soles. Shoes with deep sole patterns can easily disturb fragile earth surfaces we may encounter.
  • Sweater or sweat shirt for cool mornings and evenings (several thin layers of clothing are better than fewer thick layers — this allows for shedding throughout the day)
  • Hat or cap as essential protection against the harsh sun. Local headware, the kefeiyeh, can be purchased anywhere in Jordan.
  • Work gloves, usually cotton
  • Knee pads, which are extremely helpful as excavation, like prayer, takes place mostly on one's knees
  • Laundry soap, which is also available anywhere in Jordan
  • Clip-type clothespins for hanging laundry out to dry
  • Sunglasses
  • Suntan lotion with high sun-block factor
  • Medications: your standard mediations / skin moisturizers / Imodium A-D (or equivalent) to be taken preventively against or for occurrences of intestinal problems / antibiotics for intestinal problems / standard pain relievers / sunburn treatment / lip salve / Band aids / cough drops / cold medicine / three-inch ace wrap bandage (many of these items will be available in Jordan, although not necessarily your favorite brands, but it will save you time, hassle and expense if you bring them with you)
  • Excavation equipment: the project will supply participants with equipment we will need.

Co-directors of MRAMP

Dr. Andrea Polcaro, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy -- andrea.polcaro@unipg.it

Dr. Marta d'Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy -- marta.dandrea@uniroma1.it

Dr. Suzanne Richard, Gannon University, USA -- richard002@gannon.edu

Dr. Douglas Clark, Center for Near Eastern Archaeology at La Sierra University, USA -- dclark@lasierra.edu

UPON ARRIVAL: DIRECTIONS

All international flights arrive in Jordan at the new Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), 30 kilometers south of Amman. Our project headquarters is located in the Mariam Hotel (http://www.mariamhotel.com/) in the town of Madaba, which is approximately 15 kilometers northwest of QAIA. Taxis are safe and reasonable in cost and everyone knows how to get to the Mariam Hotel. Be sure to have extra Jordanian dinars in hand (exchanged when you exchange your currency for Jordanian dinars to pay the visa fee at the airport), and agree on a price before getting into the taxi, typically around JD 15.

DURING THE DIG

Accommodations

Project staff will be housed at the Mariam Hotel in central Madaba (http://www.mariamhotel.com/). The hotel will provide three meals a day and is only a few blocks from the project site. There will be several project-related responsibilities in which participants will engage.

Daily Schedule

The project daily schedule will begin early so that we start work around sunrise, work on site until 12:30 or 1:00 pm, return to the hotel for meals and additional assigned tasks.

Travel in Jordan

There are many things to see and do in Jordan. For our two-week season, most days will be spent on the project. But participants should plan to spend some time traveling to the many sites in Jordan before or after the project dates. 

ACOR

The American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) is an international research institute in Amman. In many ways it is also our "home away from home" while we are in Jordan. Should participants be interested in staying at ACOR before or following the project, here is contact information:

ACOR
P.O. Box 2470
Amman 11181
JORDAN
Phone: (from the USA) 011 962 6 534 6117
Fax: 011 962 6 534 4181
Email ACOR

To make reservations, visit the ACOR website and click on "Hostel."

Communication

Wi-fi is available at the Mariam Hotel, but without a lot of bandwidth.

Other Things to Consider


  • Electric Appliances: Electricity is available, even if through a limited number of outlets, for small appliances like shavers and hair dryers (although these draw a large amount of current and need to be used sparingly) and for recharging the ubiquitous batteries we need these days for equipment like cameras. The current in Europe and the Middle East, however, is 220 volts at 50 cycles per second (rather than 110 volts at 60 cycles, as in the USA and Canada). You will need to keep two things in mind: 1) appropriate voltage/wattage/current and 2) the appropriate plug adapter.

    Current: Many appliances can be adjusted externally for use with the Middle Eastern electrical system; others like most newer laptops adjust automatically. This is important as appliances will fry quickly if not set correctly. Small transformers which often come in traveler’s kits will work only with appliances which require low wattage. We do have in camp several larger transformers, but most of these are used with (western) power strips for dig equipment. You can recharge batteries using these, but space is limited.

    Adapter: There are two types of outlets in Jordan, one for use with plugs with two small round prongs and the other for use with plugs with three flat prongs arranged with two in a line and the third (ground) centered perpendicular to the other two, forming a triangle. Many choose a travel kit with several options, but you really only need these two.

  • Laundry: There will be an opportunity to have work pants, cotton shirts, towels, sheets, etc., washed at the hotel where we stay, but the best plan is to bring clothes you can wash in the bath tub and hang to dry.
  • Licenses: Most of you will have no occasion to drive while in Jordan. If you do, many car rental businesses will require an international driver's license, available through AAA offices everywhere in the U.S.A.
  • Personal Funds: It is advisable to carry at least a small amount of money (Euros or Dollars) which can easily be exchanged for local currency at most any place. Credit and debit cards are acceptable and there are lots of ATM machines around, but you often may pay a surcharge for use of the cards and virtually always for cash withdrawals, depending on your home bank. Debit cards in particular are likely the safest way to protect and access funds and there are several ATM machines in Madaba, including one with English instructions.

Water in Jordan

A quick note about WATER. While we will talk more about this on your arrival in Jordan, the subject of water is worth a few words before you get there. There may be no more precious commodity in the Middle East than water and it is usually in short supply, sometimes in extremely short supply, especially in Jordan, one of the most water-poor countries in the world. This means that as visitors to the country, we resist our normal patterns of luxurious water usage and do our best to conserve local natural resources. We will have water to drink and clean ourselves, but we will also need to exert extra intentional effort to be frugal.

For showers, please use as little water as possible: 1) turn water on to get wet, 2) turn water off and suds up, 3) turn water on to rinse, 4) turn water off. One can learn to take a shower with a gallon of water or less and feel rather smug about it! Maybe even clean, too.

Health Guidelines

Provided by the American Center of Oriental Research (ASOR), Amman

This is quite a comprehensive list – one size fits all – so one need not be overwhelmed by it. Many of the potential problems cited here we have never faced on an MPP excavation. Most important are the suggestions regarding water and food. As is usually the case, prevention is the best medicine! We will discuss these matters more fully once we arrive in Jordan.

Preventive Health Care and Information

The following information is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only. It is not comprehensive by any means and is not to be used as a substitute for qualified medical advice/attention. This information was taken from the Johns Hopkins Travel Medicine handout and a Preventive Health Care & Information booklet from the U.S. Embassy in Amman. ACOR is not responsible for any typos, errors, and misinformation provided below.

Water:

  • Illness caused by contaminated water is common in Jordan. Traveler’s Diarrhea is very common, and only bottled water or boiled and filtered water should be used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. A filter only is not sufficient to purify water. Freezing (ie. ice cubes) does not kill bacteria.
  • Boiling is the most reliable method of treating contaminated water. Water should be brought to a hard, rolling boil, for at least 5 minutes. It is recommended that the water be filtered as well after it has been cooled. Water should then be placed in a clean and closed container. If water is provided on a large scale, it is best to place it in large jugs with small taps at the bottom to avoid contamination by hands.

Traveler’s Diarrhea Prevention:

  • Avoid tap water and ice cubes.
  • Avoid raw vegetables and peel fruit yourself.
  • Thoroughly wash and soak all fruits and vegetables (see below)
  • Eat fresh, hot, well-cooked foods; avoid food that has been sitting out for an unknown time (ie. some buffets in restaurants) or has been in contact with flies.
  • Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and raw or undercooked meat and seafood.

Symptoms:

  • Loose or watery bowel movements.
  • Potential dehydration from excess fluid and electrolyte (sodium, potassium, and glucose) loss; with dark yellow/orange scanty urine, headache, dry mouth, skin and eyes, feeling light headed or fainting.
  • Cramps and abdominal discomfort with tiredness and fatigue.

Treatment:

  • It is always best to seek the attention of a doctor. Traveler’s diarrhea may pass on its own or require a course of antibiotics to rid the body of parasites (amoebas, giardia, etc).
  • For mild diarrhea (less than 3 bowel movements in 24 hours), eat a carbohydrate diet. Avoid high sugar content drinks. Take plenty of liquids.
  • For moderate to severe diarrhea (more than 3 bowel movements or diarrhea of large watery volume), seek the advice of a doctor. Eat a carbohydrate diet. Change to a bland diet of bread, rice, wheat, pasta, corn, bananas, soups, potatoes, lean meat, boiled eggs, clear juices, and weak tea. Avoid caffeine, chocolate, spices, dairy products, high sugar content drinks, alcohol, and greasy foods. Maintain a fluid intake of 2-4 quarts/liters in 24 hours. For severe diarrhea, you may need to take a oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace the electrolytes lost from the diarrhea. The World Health Organization has developed a balanced salt and glucose (simple sugar) mixture, which when added to water and consumed can replace the needed electrolytes. This mixture is available in pharmacies under the brand names Aquasal or Servidrat. It comes in prepackaged sachets and is reconstituted my mixing one sachet in 200cc of water. The correct amount of ORS to be taken each day is dependent on how severe the diarrhea is. If no commercially ORS is available, a homemade solution may be made according to the WHO ORS recipe: Dissolve 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) of salt, 18 grams (4 teaspoons) of sugar into 1 liter of potable water.
  • Seek medical attention with diarrhea when significant fever persists after the first 12-24 hours despite good rehydration; diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and you are unable to retain the ORS; diarrhea persists more than 2 days.

Food Preparation and Handling

Fruits and Vegetables:

  • There are many green grocers around town, and the longer you are here, you will find your favorite. There is a large variety of produce, from Jordan and imported as well, to choose from during most of the year. Buy only the freshest undamaged fruits and vegetables without broken skins. The U.S. Embassy Health Unit recommends the following procedure before consuming:
  • Wash and soak for 10 minutes in warm tap water to which 1 tbsp of detergent soap has been added. The container needs to be large enough that all produce is fully submerged.
  • Scrub each piece with a brush.
  • Rinse off all soap with cold tap water.
  • Follow by soaking them in a chlorine solution for 15 minutes. One tbsp of liquid Clorox in one gallon of water will provide the right properties.
  • After fifteen minutes, rinse with potable water, let drip dry and store in refrigerator.
  • Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, parsley, and celery are difficult to sterilize. Amoebic cysts are viable in the soil for over 20 years and can be absorbed into the veins of these vegetables.

Eggs:

  • Discard eggs with cracked shells.
  • Use only clean eggs, not ones covered with soil.
  • Eggs should be thoroughly cooked. The yolks of fried and boiled eggs should be thoroughly firm. Omelets and scrambled eggs should be firm throughout and not wet.
  • Do not eat raw eggs or use dishes/utensils that have not been cleaned after being in contact with raw eggs.

Meat:

  • Eat only meat that has thoroughly been cooked. There should be no red meat or juices.

Animal Bites:

  • Dogs, Cats (Rabies)
  • Rabies is endemic to Jordan. Avoid contact with stray dogs and cats. No matter how sorry you feel for a stray cat, a helpless kitten, a friendly dog, DO NOT put food out for it or play with it because you will domesticate it and it will not leave. This animal may carry rabies or some other disease or be prone to biting. If bitten or scratched:
    • Wash the area for 20 minutes with copious amounts of flowing water and soap to remove all saliva
    • Apply iodine (Betadine) or Mercurochrome solution, alcohol, or any disinfectant, as available
    • Notify a doctor immediately
    • Observe the animal for two weeks if possible.
    • You may need to undergo post-exposure rabies treatment. Ask your doctor.

Schistosomiasis:

  • Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is a parasitic disease present in some areas of Jordan. It can be contacted by wading or swimming in fresh water canals, rivers, and lakes. For this reason, it is only safe to swim in chlorinated pools, the Dead Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, or a thermal hot spring. Therefore do not walk, wade, swim, or dangle your hands or arms in any fresh water pools, streams, or lakes in Jordan.

Arthropod-borne Diseases:

  • The presence of arthropod-borne diseases have been reported in Jordan. An arthropod disease is one that is carried and transmitted by arthropods such as ticks, spiders, mosquitoes, flies, and fleas. The diseases under this category are too many to be listed. The symptoms of some are very much like the flu. Symptoms may be characterized by a sudden onset of moderate to high fever which persists up to 3 weeks, significant feelings of malaise (feeling of discomfort or uneasiness), deep muscle pain, sever headaches, and chills. The symptoms may also be accompanied by a rash that is measle-like in appearance. The rash generally appears on the third day of the fever and may spread. The incubation period after a bite until onset of illness ranges from about 3 to 14 days. With prompt recognition of a tick or other bite and treatment with a course of antibiotics, serious and significant disease is usually avoided. Untreated, these diseases can cause permanent damage or be fatal. Scorpions and Centipedes.
  • Scorpions may be found both inside and outside the home. There are six species found in Jordan, with the yellow scorpions having the highest toxicity, followed by the black ones. Light and dark brown scorpions are non-toxic. If a scorpion stings you, it is advisable to put ice on the area and go to a hospital ER or other local clinic immediately. If possible, bring the captured or dead scorpion with you. Centipedes are also found both inside and outside the home. Their bite can cause severe local and sometimes general symptoms, but are rarely fatal. Apply ice to the bite and see a doctor.

Snakes:
[Although we sometimes see snakes, no one from the Madaba Plains Project remembers any problems with them.]

  • Jordan has 32 species of snakes. Most are harmless, but there are a few that are venomous and potentially dangerous. Non-poisonous snakes have a single row of small teeth on both upper and lower jaws. When they bite, they leave a semi-circle of small, even puncture marks. Venomous snakes have fangs with which to inject poison, and their bites are distinguished by two deep puncture marks. Two types of venomous snakes are found in different parts of Jordan that are of particular concern.
  • The Walterinnesia Aegyptia. A black snake 100-200 cm long, with a smooth head shaped the same as its body. If bitten by this snake, symptoms may be drowsiness and difficulty in swallowing.
  • The Vipera Palestine. Usually found in the Jordan Valley. It is about 60-100 cm long and has a ‘V’ shape of color on its head.
  • A good rule of thumb to go by in identifying dangerous snakes is that if it has a fat body and triangular shaped head, it should be regarded as poisonous. Note that the Walterinnesia does not fit into this rule.
  • If a person is bitten by a poisonous snake, three important steps should be followed:
    • Keep the person quiet, have them lie down, and carry them to transportation.
    • Take care of the victim’s psychological state. Keep him/her quiet. The more excited the victim is, the faster the venom will circulate.
    • Take the victim to the nearest hospital ER or medical center. The nearest clinic may or may not have anti-venom. The Embassy has reported that Al-Bashir Government Hospital and Jordan University Hospital have anti-venom.

Health Notes

Immunizations (www.cdc.gov/travel)

The American Embassy in Amman recommends the following immunizations for travel to Jordan. Record of immunizations should be listed in the "yellow book" to accompany your passport. You should also list your blood type in case of emergency. Please check with your physician for his/her recommendations regarding these immunizations.

  • Typhoid - required every three years.
  • Tetanus Diphtheria - required every ten years.
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B (now on recommended list for all Americans)
  • Meningitis - recommended every three years.
  • Malaria - no malaria in Amman, occasionally present in the Jordan Valley.
  • Cholera - not required.

Poisonous Bites - any bite that provokes an unusual reaction (excessive swelling, soreness, redness, etc.) should be looked at by a doctor immediately. Do not wait “to see what will happen.” Waiting too long may cause serious or permanent illness or physical damage.

Scorpions - Yellow scorpions have the highest toxicity, followed by black. Light and dark brown scorpions are usually not poisonous.

Centipedes - can cause severe local and sometimes general symptoms, but are rarely fatal. The centipede locally known as the "Forty-four," (yellowish-tan, approximately 8 inches long) is the most common poisonous type.

Spiders - Black Widow. The large "camel spiders" are not poisonous, but can inflict a bite. The brown recluse can cause serious damage.

Ticks - themselves are not poisonous but may carry transmittable diseases in Jordan. Ticks are associated with horses, camels, dogs, cats, rodents, small mammals, cave dung, as well as other sources.

Wasps - The big brown and yellow "cow-killer" wasps will cause an immediate reaction even in those not normally allergic to bee stings. Local first-aid clinics will usually have anti-venom shots available. If you are allergic to bee stings, you should carry your "kit" with you at all times.

Snakes - Jordan has many snakes - some of which are not fully known or classified by biologists. Always assume it is poisonous. Local first-aid clinics may or may not have anti-venom shots available.

Doctors, Hospitals, and Pharmacies

Doctors generally have clinic hours from 10:00 am-1:00 pm and from 4:00-6:00 pm, except Fridays or Sundays.

The Jordan Center for Family Medicine takes care of the whole family and is recommended by the U.S. Embassy in Amman. The Center is located on Mecca Street and is open from 8:30 until 12:30 and 16:00 until 19:00. Dr. Mazen M. Al-Bashir. Telephone: 551-3640/1 or 551-3651; Fax: 552-1420, pager: 552-9999 # 03640.

A list of recommended specialists by the U.S. Embassy can be obtained from ACOR’s office.

Hospitals in Amman
Al-Bashir Government Hospital
Tel: 477-5111
Jabal Ashrafieh

Amman Surgical Hospital
Tel: 464-1261; Fax: 464-1260
Jabal Amman, 3rd Circle

Arab Center for Heart and Special Surgery
Tel: 592-1199; ER No. 592-5801
ER No. 592-1199, ext. 750, 751, or 752
Lab ext. 741
Fax: 592-1282

Jabal Amman, 5th Circle
Khalidi Hospital
Tel: 464-4281/9 (9 lines)
Between 3rd and 4th circles, near Hala Inn Hotel

King Hussein Medical Center
Tel: 585-6856 or 581-5572
Turn right at 8th Circle, 2 km on left

Specialty Hospital
Tel: 569-3693 or 569-3741
Across from Sports City

Jordan Hospital
Tel: 562-0777
Hospitals outside Amman
(some numbers out of date)

Aqaba Princess Haya Military Hospital, Tel: 03-201-4111/6

Madaba Nadim Hospital, Tel: 05-324-1701

Government Hospital, Tel: 05-324-1700

Irbid Government Hospital-Princess Basma Hospital, Tel: 02-275-555

Salt Government Hospital, Tel: 05-552-957/8

Zarqa Military Hospital, Tel: 05-398-0621

Government Hospital, Tel: 05-398-3323/4/5
Kaser Shabib Hospital, Tel: 05-398-2370

Ma'an Government Hospital (Closest hospital to Petra), Tel: 03-213-102/222

Karak Military Hospital-Prince Ali Hospital, Tel: 03-386-371/2-4

Wadi Mousa Medical Center, Tel: 03-215-6434

Petra Medical Clinic (Caravan only nurse in charge), Tel: 03-215-7161 Pharmacies

Check the Jordan Times newspaper for a list of pharmacies open 24 hours a day in your area. Pharmacies are numerous in Amman and can be found easily just by driving around. There is one located in the Tla'a al-Ali suq and several on Gardens St. Most hospitals and medical centers/doctor office complexes have pharmacies located within easy walking distance. Download this document

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