Amman, March 27 (Petra) – His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review preparations for the 16th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan, set to take place in Athens next September.

During the meeting, Prince El Hassan underscored the significance of strengthening heritage awareness among younger generations and "institutionalizing" heritage preservation.

Prince El Hassan also noted the need to "standardize" scientific terminology in heritage studies and enhance coordination in this field.

Additionally, he proposed establishing a Jordanian cultural heritage platform to connect experts and professionals, fostering collaboration for protection and sustainability.

The meeting brought together the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Minister of Culture, senior officials, and representatives of international institutions and heritage organizations in Jordan.

Attendees discussed the conference’s role in knowledge exchange and enhancing cooperation in research and restoration efforts, reiterating their commitment to ensuring the success of the Athens conference, which will highlight Jordan’s "rich" cultural and historical legacy on a global stage.

Discussions also covered ongoing coordination to finalize organizational arrangements, with a particular focus on showcasing Jordan’s efforts in preserving archaeological sites and protecting their unique identity. Participants stressed that cultural heritage plays a vital role in reinforcing national identity and fostering regional and international cultural dialogue.

The conference will address key topics, including archaeology, identity, and human rights; Jordan’s cultural history based on historical and epigraphic evidence; advancements in archaeological research and documentation; and East-West cultural interactions from an archaeological perspective.

Initiated by Prince El Hassan in the 1980s at Oxford University, the conference is held every three years and remains a premier international gathering for researchers in archaeology, cultural history, and related disciplines. It provides a platform for scholars to present their latest findings and build academic networks, further promoting Jordan’s historical and archaeological heritage at local, regional, and international levels.

The previous edition of the conference took place in Jordan under Prince El Hassan’s patronage and was organized by the Department of Antiquities in collaboration with Yarmouk University.

//Petra// AO

27/03/2025 17:37:54