CBRL is delighted to announce the launch of its new Reading Club, a space for researchers, students, and those interested in the archaeology and history of the region to come together and discuss key publications.
The first session took place on Sunday, 17 August 2025 at the CBRL Amman Institute.
The discussion focused on the article: “Not a place for respectable people, but the ends of the earth converge there: insights from Wisad Pools into the nature and context of Jordan’s Black Desert Neolithic”, published in the Levant Journal (Vol. 56, Issue 2, 2024).
CBRL was especially pleased to host two of the article’s co-authors, Alexander Wasse and Yorke Rowan, who enriched the discussion with valuable insights into the Wisad Pools site and the broader understanding of Neolithic life in Jordan’s Black Desert.
Co-authors Alexander Wasse and Yorke Rowan introduced attendees to new findings from Wisad Pools, where substantial Neolithic structures dating between 7000–5000 BC shed light on the lifeways of hunter-herder-trapper communities. They highlighted the site’s advanced architectural planning, its role in connecting the Levant and Mesopotamia, and how environmental change has shaped adaptation. The site was also placed in the wider context of Arabian Neolithization, underscoring its significance in regional cultural developments.
Attendees reflected on the importance of enhancing the visibility of Wisad Pools and explored ways to engage local communities and the wider public in safeguarding the site. The discussion highlighted how raising awareness of such a rich and unique heritage could foster a stronger sense of connection and responsibility toward preserving Jordan’s Black Desert.
We look forward to welcoming participants to upcoming Reading Club sessions as we continue exploring significant works from across the Levant.
