He added that recovering archaeological pieces and returning them to their historical contexts opens the way for documenting important stages of Jordan's history and strengthens efforts aimed at protecting national heritage and preserving civilizational memory, noting that Jordan is not a newcomer to history, but rather an extension of a land where successive civilizations and societies have left their evidence in archaeological sites, inscriptions, and historical structures.
He indicated that the Aqaba Governorate occupies an important place in the national archaeological and tourism narrative, as it is a region of civilizational and commercial connection throughout the ages, and not just a maritime outlet, as it hosts archaeological sites and evidence that document the development of societies and the economic activities, as well as the commercial and religious relations witnessed by the region.
He explained that Tell Al-Maqass and Tell Al-Hujayra stand out among the sites that deserve further research, documentation, and promotion, due to the evidence associated with them regarding ancient human and economic activity, including activities related to copper, while rock inscriptions in Aqaba and Wadi Rum reflect aspects of ancient human life and their interaction with the environment and animals, and the artistic expressions and cultural and ideological practices associated with them.
Madi pointed out that the Islamic city of Ayla represents a major station in the history of Aqaba, as one of the oldest Islamic cities established outside the Arabian Peninsula, and it played an important role in trade and pilgrimage routes, while the Aqaba Castle, with its successive historical stages, stands as a witness to the strategic importance of the city and the events associated with the history of the region, leading up to the raising of the Great Arab Revolt flag in Aqaba. He emphasized that recovering the artifact allows Jordan to utilize its historical legacy in building an integrated national narrative based on linking collections, museums, and archaeological sites, and presenting them as interconnected evidence of the development of humans and the societies that lived on the Kingdom's land, rather than displaying them separately from their historical contexts.
He stressed the importance of enhancing museum integration between Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba, and linking archaeological pieces to the sites where they were discovered, which helps researchers and visitors understand the historical stages the region has gone through and enhances opportunities for developing tourism paths that combine antiquities, heritage, and culture.
