Exhibition presents story of Jordan from new perspective

AMMAN  — The Jordan Museum on Sunday launched an exhibition titled “Jordan: the Land of Innovation, Continuity and Change”, as part of Jordan’s year of science 2017 celebrations. 

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Hassan, the exhibition unveils Jordan’s scientific and technological innovations throughout the years. 

Deputising for HRH Prince Hassan, HRH Princess Sarvath inaugurated the event, which is organised by the Jordan Museum in collaboration with the Royal Scientific Society (RSS). She commended the efforts exerted by the individuals who brought the exhibition to life.

Focusing on innovation, continuity and change, the exhibition presents the story of Jordan from a new perspective influenced by the essays of Prince Hassan. These papers, which he wrote during his time at Oxford University as a visiting fellow in 2000-2001, provide a hopeful vision of the Kingdom’s future, and its ability to thrive in a land of scarcity, according to a statement by the organisers. 

RSS president and vice chair of the board of trustees of the Jordan Museum, HRH Princess Sumaya said that the exhibition will contribute to the development of creativity, encourage scientific research, and boost the use of science to serve the society. 

She added that it will help address the current challenges Jordan is facing, by turning them into concrete development opportunities by identifying realistic models of creation and innovation built on Jordan’s scientific legacy.

Princess Sumaya emphasised that the multicultural heritage of Jordan has enriched the Arab region, and that the Kingdom’s diversity is a source of strength and inspiration for the future.

“I believe that our efforts will reaffirm the pivotal role that our small nation has to play in the region’s sustainable development. This exhibition will help engage our people in debates and discussions to highlight the challenges we face and to celebrate the huge capacity we have to tackle them with intelligence, creativity and drive. Science is ours and has always been. Innovation is in our DNA,” the Princess said.  

The exhibition focused on five key questions: “How do we care for our most vital natural resources? Where does our food come from? How does this land power our lives? How do we communicate? How does Jordan’s multicultural heritage enrich our nation?”

Director General of the Museum Ihab Amarin said that the exhibition also lies within the framework of the museum’s vision to serve as an educational and touristic platform. 

Schools will be able to access the exhibition daily from 9am to 4pm, he said, noting that they can accommodate up to 50 students every 20 minutes with a tour that lasts around an hour.  

One of the pieces displayed at the museum is the Jawa Dam, which was built more than 5,000 years ago. Standing 4.5 metres high and 24 metres long, the Jawa Dam was one the largest of three dams built around 3200BC. 

Another exhibit displayed is the collection of small monuments from Petra that provide evidence of the city’s past inhabitants including Nabataeans, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. 

Many other innovations showed Jordan’s progress over the years, from pottery, cutlery to means of communications and energy production. 

The ceremony was attended by HRH Prince Raad, HRH Princess Majda Raad and HRH Princess Rajwa Bint Ali.