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Fire on the desert: conflict archaeology and the Great Arab Revolt in Jordan, 1916–18

Part of: Conflict Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Nicholas J. Saunders  and
Neil Faulkner
Nicholas J. Saunders
Affiliation:
*Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, 43 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UU, UK (Email: nicholas.saunders@bristol.ac.uk; neil.faulkner@bristol.ac.uk)
Neil Faulkner
Affiliation:
*Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, 43 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UU, UK (Email: nicholas.saunders@bristol.ac.uk; neil.faulkner@bristol.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Archaeologists specialising in twentieth-century conflict here turn their attention from the trenches of Europe to the desert landscape of the Arabian theatre. The thrust and parry between the Ottoman Army and Lawrence's Arabian forces are reflected in defence-works and the outgoing and incoming bullets found there. The Ottoman generals changed their defences from long lines to redoubts, implying that the less visible guerrillas were having a palpable effect on strategy. Here, archaeology amplifies and enhances the story told in T.E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Keywords

conflict archaeologyFirst World WarOttoman EmpireT.E. LawrenceredoubtsHejaz Railway
Type
Research articles
Information
Antiquity , Volume 84 , Issue 324 , June 2010 , pp. 514 - 527
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2010

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