By Gaelle Sundelin | Apr 04, 2013 | JORDAN TIMES

AMMAN — Thirty years of archaeological excavations culminated in the “groundbreaking discovery” of a bronze workshop in Jerash’s Temple of Zeus, adding to the Jordan’s rich heritage, according to a French archaeologist.

Speaking at a seminar on Wednesday organised by the French Institute of the Near East and the Institut Français, Jacques Seigne, head of the French archaeological mission in Jerash, stressed the importance of this excavation, realised in partnership with German Academic Exchange Service and University of Jordan Professor Thomas Weber.

“It is a unique discovery which tells us more about the very technique of how bronze statues were made 2,000 years ago,” Seigne said, adding that it contradicted initial conceptions about how bronze statues were created.

In 1993, 2,500 bronze cast fragments were excavated but their secret could not be revealed until almost 20 years later, when Weber heard about the findings and ensured further restoration and research would get co-funded by the German government.

“The casts are actually less common [to find] than the statues themselves, so it was incredible to find fragments of 2,500 of them, especially as we managed to recreate complete moulds out of some of the parts,” Seigne told The Jordan Times over the phone on Thursday.

The importance of the bronze workshop excavated by the archaeologists, who were joined by expert teams from Jordan and Germany, gained momentum as the then-minister of tourism and antiquities Nayef Al Fayez visited the site.

“What he saw was the bottom of a mould, which was mainly a big round argil plate with bronze residues, and still he seemed genuinely thrilled,” Seigne recalled.

The historical meaning of the bronze workshop had Fayez request that the base of the mould be moved to a safe place for further research and restoration.

A book titled “Metal Casting in Roman Gerasa, Preliminary Reports on the Jordanian-European Cultural Heritage Conservation Programme at Jerash in 2012” will compile details on the bronze workshop and the extensive work from Jordanian, French and German entities that led to its discovery and preservation.

The need for conservation and preservation of archaeological discoveries and sites is adamant according to Seigne, who says there is a double issue to be addressed in Jordan.

“The problem is that most people who go and spend time in these sites have no idea about their historical importance and do not respect the area,” Seigne said, adding that another problem facing Jordan’s conservation of its cultural heritage lies in the lack of qualified local personnel.

“Both problems can be resolved through education by raising awareness over the importance and fragility of Jordan’s historical sites and promoting education within the fields of patrimony protection,” Seigne added.

After 30 years of involvement, discoveries and struggles on the Jerash site, some 48km north of the capital, Seigne, who is planning to retire soon, said a new generation should take over in safeguarding the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

“It is heart breaking to stop. Jerash is an extraordinary site, a real archaeological jewel that still holds a multitude of secrets to be discovered,” he said.