The House of Hearts in Jerash, an ancient Byzantine residence unearthed by the Eastern Jerash Project, offers a unique lens into Jordan’s rich archaeological heritage. Located in the heart of one of the most important Roman cities in the Middle East, the site reflects the historical development of Jordan from prehistory through the Early Islamic period. As excavations continue, new findings reveal how architecture, trade, and daily life evolved in Jerash, once known as Gerasa.

From 8500 to 4500 BC, Neolithic communities began forming. These early settlements practiced agriculture and livestock herding and later developed pottery, which you can explore more in our history of ancient Jordanian pottery.

In 63 AD, the Romans extended their control over Jordan. The Decapolis, which included Gerasa (modern Jerash), Amman (then Philadelphia), Gadara (Umm Qais), and Pella, formed a federal economic and cultural network. The Nabataean Kingdom was eventually annexed by Emperor Trajan, and cities like Gadara and Philadelphia flourished under Roman rule.

Among these, Jerash stood out with its advanced infrastructure. Learn more in our guide to Roman ruins in Jerash, including temples, amphitheaters, and colonnaded streets.

During the Byzantine era, excavations in the 1930s uncovered churches, signaling Christianity’s importance. However, it was the Jerash International Project in the 1980s that first highlighted the city’s significance during the Early Islamic period.

Today, new excavations at the House of Hearts in Jerash by the Eastern Jerash Project have unearthed vaulted chambers, workshops, and inscriptions, offering insights into how the city transitioned from the Byzantine to Umayyad periods.

RECENT EXCAVATIONS OF THE BYZANTINE HOUSE IN JERASH BY THE EASTERN JERASH PROJECT

Since 2022, Julie Bonnéric, Director of the French Institute of the Near East (Ifpo), has led the Eastern Jerash Project to explore a large courtyard building in central Jerash, east of the Cardo. Initially excavated by the Jordanian Department of Antiquities in 2001, the site revealed an urban house near the Nymphaeum, known as the House of Hearts or the House of the Wealthy Merchant. Built during the Byzantine era, it was destroyed in the 749 AD earthquake at the end of the Umayyad period, preserving many original elements.

Earlier excavations focused on mapping previously uncovered areas to reconstruct the building’s layout, due to missing records. However, during the third excavation season (May 2024), several key spaces were discovered — a kitchen, a storage room, and a stable — all of which provide clues to daily life in Byzantine Jerash.

Additionally, excavations revealed a staircase connecting the Roman Cardo Maximus to the residence, suggesting architectural and social integration between homes and commercial spaces in ancient Roman cities.

One goal of the project is to analyze shifts in domestic architecture between the Byzantine and Umayyad periods. Significant finds include three-meter-high vaults, nine rooms, and an olive or wine press. Though the purpose of many artifacts remains unclear due to the absence of written records, Greek inscriptions discovered on-site may help provide historical context.

The next excavation season aims to document the building’s eastern portico and further explore connections between Jerash’s commercial zone and its elite residences.

Stairs linking the House of Hearts to the shops on the Cardo Maximus in Jerash (Photo by Saeb Rawashdeh) – Source: Jordan Times

One goal of the project is to study changes in spatial organization and housing use from the Byzantine to Umayyad periods, as well as occupations before and after these periods. The team has found three-meter-high vaults, nine rooms, and an olive or wine press, though the lack of written sources makes it difficult to determine the function of many objects. Next season, the team plans to document the eastern portico and has also found some Greek inscriptions, adding historical context to the site.

1 – Tetrakionion, 2 – Bridge over the Chrysorhoas (Gold River, today Wadi Jerash), 3 – Great Eastern Baths, 4 – Mosque, 5 – Macellum, 6 – Houses from the Umayyad period

In conclusion, the ongoing research in Jerash by the Eastern Jerash Project is crucial for deepening our understanding of the Byzantine and Umayyad periods. The excavation of the House of Hearts, with its extensive remains and strategic location, provides valuable insights into the urban and economic life of ancient Jerash. The discoveries, including well-preserved rooms and significant remnants, highlight the residence’s role in connecting commercial and residential spaces. Julie Bonnéric recently presented these findings at a conference on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Salle Reinach Lyon, hosted by the Archéorient laboratory. The conference, titled The House of Hearts, a Large Urban Residence from the Byzantine and Umayyad Periods in the Center of Jerash (Jordan),” offered a comprehensive overview of this important archaeological work.