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Tower 1
Tower 2
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Tower 4
Tower 5
© Wikimedia Commons contributors / CC BY-SA
UNESCO WHCCulturalInscribed 20041093-002

Tower

Component of Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)

Overview

Most of this archaeological site, which started as a Roman military camp and grew to become a town from the 5th century, has not been excavated. It contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods (end of 3rd to 9th centuries AD) and a fortified Roman military camp. The site also has 16 churches, some with well-preserved mosaic floors. Particularly noteworthy is the mosaic floor of the Church of Saint Stephen with its representation of towns in the region. Two square towers are probably the only remains of the practice, well known in this part of the world, of the stylites (ascetic monks who spent time in isolation atop a column or tower). Um er-Rasas is surrounded by, and dotted with, remains of ancient agricultural cultivation in an arid area.

About Tower

A tower is a tall structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting structures.

Read more on Wikipedia

Selection Criteria

(i)(iv)

Details

Countries
Jordan
ISO Codes
JO
Coordinates
31.5000, 35.9167
View on UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)← All UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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