Archaeologists re-erect three arches of Ghor Safi medieval sugar cane processing factory in Jordan

Extracting juice from sugar cane has its origin in southeast Asia over 2,000 years ago, however, the sugar production became a monopoly of Ayyubid and Mamluk rulers (12th -15th centuries) in the Jordan Valley.

Two scholars managed to re-erect three arches of the Ghor Safi sugar factory in the spring of 2019. It is the initial
 step to reconstruct the mediaeval sugar factory in the Dead Sea area [Credit: Ulrich Bellwald]

Sugar production dominated Ghor Safi, a town known as Zoara in the Old Testament, which was located on the southeastern edge of the Dead Sea.

Konstantinos Politis, an experienced Greek archaeologist, has worked in Ghor Safi on ancient sugar mills for many years and in the spring of 2019 he teamed up with a Swiss researcher Ulrich Bellwald.

The two scholars and their team erected three arches out of 12 that form two rows of the sugar mill, Politis said, noting that the area was used for sugar processing and was kept as clean as possible.

“Politis was the one who excavated these arches and then he approached me to ask me to assist him in developing the monument presentation project,” Bellwald explained, adding that the problem is that people don’t realize that there was a very sophisticated sugar factory where the molasses processed.

View of the roller presses at Ghor as-Safi [Credit: Al-Hima]

“We decided to re-erect three of arches which once supported the roof of the factory in order to give the first impression of the space and at the end when we have funds for presentation of monument these arches with others will support the roof; therefore Politis will be able to show the complete structure and present the complete process of the sugar production,” Bellwald stressed.

Regarding the style of arches, they vary slightly but were all pointed at the top, which is typical for Islamic and Crusader periods as opposed to rounded (the Roman and Byzantine forms), Politis noted.

According to Bellwald, arches (built of sandstone blocks) date from 13th century (Mamluk period) as these sugar factories were built upon the initiative of sultan who resided in Damascus, where collected sugar produced in Ghor Safi was sent to.

“What was interesting was that not two arches were with the same dimensions. But as they support the roof, the top of this pointed arches had to be the of same dimensions, which means that vaulting of arches was never the same,” Bellwald explained.

Illustration of proposed reconstruction of the sugar processing plant at Ghor as-Safi (Masani' al-sukkar): A-oblique shafts,
 B-roller presses, C-paddle wheels, D-nozzle, E-collecting sap basin, F-line of cauldrons, G-conical moulds
and molasses jars [Credit: S. Witkin]

One of challenges for Bellwald was to manufacture a framework and divide it into two, with different width.

As usually, working conditions, vandalism and looting of the artefacts present the challenge for any scholar who works in the field.

“Working conditions in Jordan are one of challenges that won’t allow smooth and easy implementation of the schedule,” said a Swiss architect, adding, “We had to improvise, no scaffolding, so we used pallets and blue plastic barrels instead.”

The plan is to reconstruct the entire sugar factory and when the roof is completed, Politis with his team may excavate the sugar factory to the full extent, including installations, Bellwald noted.

“We plan to resurrect more, as we are pending funding from the US Ambassador's Fund, to support a light shelter made of wood and reeds as it was in antiquity,” Politis highlighted.

Author: Saeb Rawashdeh | Source: The Archaeology News Network [September 06, 2019]