6
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
6.1
SOURCES OF IMPACT
As discussed earlier in the report, the main potential impact to archaeological
sites will be through physical disturbance. Such impacts will all occur at the
construction stage of the project, regardless of the particular RSDSC
component and for those sites that lie directly in the project area, including
access roads, they are all, by default, permanent impacts. These impacts will
come mainly from earth removal, construction, and dumping of waste rock.
Permanent impacts (i.e. partial or total destruction of a site) will be caused by
the disturbance of the ground as a result of:
•
•
•
•
•
The construction of the work camps and any areas that will have
temporary or permanent structures;
Temporary and permanent roads for access and maintenance;
Areas where rock from the tunnel construction will be dumped;
Trenching for laying pipelines;
Raising of the level of the Dead Sea may, eventually, mean that a few
recently-exposed lake-shore sites may become submerged. The Roman
harbour at Ain Zara, on the eastern shore, is one such site, which in any
case, had been under water until the recent reductions in the level of the
sea.
Temporary impacts that may arise from potential leakage (both slow leaks or
flooding) are not a major concern for archaeological sites, since there are no
significant organic remains preserved on most sites in the arid environment of
the Wadi Araba/Arava Valley.
For sites that lie close by the project area, and therefore become visible and
accessible to people that would not otherwise have been aware of them, there
is always the danger of accidental or deliberate damage. Accidental damage
could easily occur, for instance, by large machinery driving over a site.
Deliberate damage usually occurs either when people are nearby to a site and
take stones from ancient structures to reuse them elsewhere or carry out
illegal excavations in the hopes of buried treasure.
It should be noted that the alignments walked by this field survey are
‘concept’ or notional lines, meaning that they are by no means the final
alignments. Once the final alignment of this, and any other lines is
determined, they will certainly need to be thoroughly surveyed for the
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presence of archaeological sites where they lie in areas that have not been
previously surveyed in detail.
6.2
DETERMINING SITE-SPECIFIC IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
Our assessment of the impact on specific archaeological sites is based on the
‘concept’ routes and portal locations as set out by the RSDSC Feasibility Team
in December 2009, and updated in the Draft Report on Sub-Studies B&D,
produced in June 2010. The routes and portals may be constructed at slightly
or very different locations depending on the outcome of detailed design.
Similarly the precise locations of access roads, work sites and spoil disposal
sites cannot be known at this stage. Nevertheless, the findings of the survey
will help determine the areas that should be avoided by re-routing or
relocating the relevant project component so that any sites of major
significance can be left intact.
Even if the actual location of the routes and portals changes, the survey and
background research provide a very good sample of the type of sites that
might be encountered in any particular area. Thus, the survey will help project
decision makers, developers and eventual construction contractors to
understand the archaeological context of each area and give a good idea of
what may be found in the different areas in which construction activities are
planned. It also indicates the value of such sites and describes how damage
should be prevented.
One major benefit of the archaeological survey and of any further
archaeological work that will be carried out as part of the RSDSC, is the
addition to knowledge that is provided. It adds much new information that
helps to present the archaeology of the area in its context and that can, for
example, be used to enhance interpretation of sites for presentation to the
public.
Once the construction contracts are awarded, and the actual locations of the
open channel sections, portals, or pipeline and construction camps (workers’
accommodation, access roads and site access, construction sites including
storage and parking) and temporary infrastructure sites (e.g. tunnel portal
worksites, pipeline manufacturing plant, administration buildings, wells,
aggregate production plants, concrete segment factories) are known, those
specific sites will need to be surveyed, if they lie outside the areas that were
covered in the current fieldwork stage. Also all other areas that will be
impacted by any construction or earth moving by the project, that has not
been previously surveyed, will need to be surveyed. Any sites that have been
assessed as needing further work, that lie within the impact area, will need to
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have the work carried out according to the requirements based on the
assessment of the importance of the site (see Section 3.5 for assessment
categories). This work will need to be carried out in cooperation with the
responsible authority of the relevant party and in line with the guidelines
provided by the World Bank.
6.3
POTENTIAL SITE-SPECIFIC IMPACTS
The following sections provide a brief description of the most important sites
found within 100 metres of each component area of the RSDSC and their
mitigation assessment. For details, locations and mitigation assessment level
of all sites please refer to the map sets and tables in the Archaeology Field
Survey Database Report. Further details on mitigation and management
measures are provided in Section 7. The maps in the aforementioned database
report show the detailed sites and areas with the highest (category 4) site
specific impacts; Figures 6.1 and 6.2 provide an overview of the locations of
key sites.
6.3.1
Aqaba/Eilat/Eastern Intake and Associated Pumping Station
The present RSDSC physically avoids the modern town of Aqaba, and
therefore the archaeology of this area will not be affected by it.
There were no archaeological sites on the proposed sites of either the eastern
intake or the northern pumping station.
6.3.2
Seawater Conveyance (Tunnel Option - Canal Sections)
The southern canal section crosses mostly flat land in the bottom of the Wadi
Araba/Arava Valley. At the very northern end of the canal, the SAAS project
recorded a cluster of sites around the mouth of Wadi Abu Barqa, which were
not revisited by the present survey. The present survey found six new sites.
The northern canal section crosses old alluvial fans and areas of large boulder
fields at the foot of the mountains. The southern end of the canal begins just to
the north of the antiquities of Bir Mathkour (site 382), which will have to be
protected from any collateral damage. The northern end lies within the area of
the antiquities of the Wadi Finan area. Given that this whole area forms an
integrated landscape of ancient land use from at least as early as the Neolithic
until the present day (see Section 5.4.1), this entire area will need to be avoided
in order to maintain the coherence of the whole. The present survey found 29
sites along the rest of the proposed alignment, four of which (sites 44, 51, 63
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and 65) are of sufficient interest to recommend excavation if avoidance is not
possible.
Figure 6.1
Distribution of Archaeological Sites Aqaba/Eilat and WAAV Areas
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Figure 6.2
Distribution of Archaeological Sites Dead Sea Basin and Fresh Water
Conveyance Areas
6.3.3
Seawater Conveyance (Tunnel Option – Portals)
The proposed location of the portals for the low level and high level
conveyance tunnels are mostly sited on old alluvial fans, at the mouths of
wadis flowing down from the eastern mountains that border the Wadi
Araba/Arava Valley. Portal 4 was the only one with a previously recorded
site, but new sites were found in all portal areas by the present survey. Only
those of some significance will be mentioned below.
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Portal 1: This portal is located on the north side of the main Amman-Aqaba
highway in the Wadi Yutum. Two sites were found (sites 73 and 77), both of
which are an extended series of enclosures, in very good condition. Although
no dating evidence was found on the surface, these complexes are almost
certainly pre-Roman and given their excellent condition, they could provide
information on the use of this rugged landscape in prehistoric time. Therefore
these two sites would need to be excavated if they were to be impacted by the
RSDSC.
Portal 3: This portal is south of the village of Risheh, on the stony, gently
sloping, upper alluvial fan of a wadi, at the foot of the mountains. Just across
the main road, on the west side, is the main part of the site of Rujm Taba (site
288), a small Nabataean fort and associated structures that is now in poor
condition, and some of the structures may be damaged by the current
widening of the highway. This site has been mapped and partially excavated,
but would need further excavation if it were to be further impacted by, for
example, an access road for the proposed RSDSC.
Portal 4: Lying just to the north-west of the modern military camp at
Gharandal, this adit is just east of the mouth of Wadi Gharandal in low,
deeply dissected hills that are the remains of ancient lacustrine deposits.
There are four flint sites in this area (one previously recorded and three new
ones), which has extensive deposits of natural flint. Although these sites may
not require large-scale excavation, if the area is to be impacted, a thorough
surface collection and mapping would be essential to show the use of the area
through time. One kilometre to the west of the proposed portal site, and right
beside the small present-day road, is the small Roman fort and bath complex
of Gharandal (site 303) that is currently under investigation (and excavation).
If this site were to be impacted by the portal, or an access road leading to it, it
would need further excavation.
6.3.4
Seawater Conveyance (Pipeline Option)
The pipeline option of the seawater conveyance will run down the centre of
the Wadi Araba/Arava Valley, within Jordanian territory, crossing areas of
deep sand, mudflats, sand dunes and some low hills covered with desert
pavement. There are fewer than 20 previously recorded sites to the west of the
present-day highway and the Jordanian-Israeli border because the whole area
is a military zone and thus generally inaccessible. Having been granted access
by the military, this survey covered a large part of the proposed seawater
pipeline route and found a total of 48 sites (including single grave sites). Of
these only the two small Roman towers (sites 91 and 93) are of significant
interest and, being small, it should be possible to avoid them at the design
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stage, otherwise they would require full excavation if they were to be
impacted by the project.
6.3.5
Ancient East – West Routes in the Wadi Araba/Arava Valley
Various east–west routes were used in different periods of the long history of
the region(these were not well-defined roads, but rather routes that were
favoured for crossing the Valley because there were mountain passes on either
side). The area of these east–west passes (see Annex C Maps F, I, K, O, R, Y)
will need intensive monitoring during construction because of the higher
likelihood of archaeological finds (such as temporary camp sites/fires, pot
drops, trackways etc.).
6.3.6
Low and High Level Desalination Plants, and Penstock Pipeline
The high level desalination plant sites (tunnel option) are located in steep hills
just above and to the south-east of the important site of Qasr Telah (site 377),
and its associated field system, so any access roads to the desalination plant
will have to be strictly adhered to. Also, the proposed penstock line skirts the
western edge of the field system and in order to protect this field system, the
line needs to be moved further away from it.
There is a total of 16 sites in these four component areas themselves, none of
which fall into the ‘critical’ category.
6.3.7
Eastern Freshwater Pipeline
This proposed pipeline crosses some very varied landscapes and has sites
from all periods along its route. There are 237 previously recorded sites along
the route and 59 new sites, including individual graves, recorded by the
present survey.
Amongst the sites that would need to be excavated if they were to be
impacted by the RSDSC, sites 114, 124 and 129 are of particular interest with
enclosures, cross-wadi walls and a stone circle that are all in good condition.
Several sites with structures that are currently within 1 kilometre of the
proposed route, in particular Khirbet Abur (site 441), which is a multi-period
settlement site on a hilltop and the old village of Senefheh (site 416) will need
to be protected if the final alignment passes too close to it.
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6.3.8
Western Freshwater Pipeline
There are three sites of national and international importance that must be
avoided along the western side of the Dead Sea: these are the World Heritage
sites of Masada, the Israel National Park of Ein Gedi and the National Park
and site complex of Qumran. In the current configuration of the RSDSC, the
freshwater line passes through the eastern edge of the Masada complex of
sites, the very western edge of the Ein Gedi complex of sites, and less than a
kilometre east of the Qumran complex. Therefore special attention will be
needed to ensure that no work sites or related activity could encroach on any
of these areas. A number of early synagogues and churches have been found
in the plain south of Jericho, with remains of mosaic floors. The present state
of these remains is unknown and, once the pipeline alignment is final, they
should be revisited, prior to the construction phase, if they fall within the area
of the RSDSC to assess the state of the mosaics, and where possible and
necessary, lift them.
One site (675) has been identified as an Essene cemetery (just over 1 km west
of the current configuration of the freshwater line). South of the Green Line a
number of sites have been identified as possible cemeteries. Excavation of
cemeteries in Israel and the Palestinian Authority is a sensitive issue, that can
lead to political/religious disturbances. According to Israeli government rules,
human remains are not considered antiquities. When found they will be
excavated by a physical anthropologist and handed over immediately to the
Ministry of Religion for reburial. Therefore, in order to avoid unecessary
disturbance, cemeteries should be avoided wherever it is possible to re-route
the pipeline.
Because the coastal plain is narrow on the west side of the Dead Sea, many of
the sites within the project area are caves. These may be impacted if the
pipeline construction involves digging through the limestone mountains
bordering the plain.
According to the available data, a low number of small sites would be
impacted by the current configuration of the freshwater pipeline. Wherever
the line is finally moved to, it is bound to impact on a similar number of small
sites, which will need to be investigated once that final alignment is known.
Our recommendation for the western freshwater pipeline is to follow the
corridor of the existing road as closely as possible, to avoid further
disturbance of sites. This road does cut a number of existing archaeological
sites but if the pipeline stays within the construction zone of the road, no
further action will be necessary. However partial excavation of these sites may
be necessary if they risk further damaged by the pipeline.
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7
MITIGATION AND MONITORING
7.1
INTRODUCTION
There are numerous archaeological sites across the landscape and inevitably a
number of these will lie within areas impacted by the RSDSC, wherever it is
placed. A certain number of these sites are of international significance (e.g.
Wadi Finan) and are to be completely avoided. Note that although the
notional lines provided by the FS go within 100m of a few valuable
archaeological sites, most elements of the design are flexible. The FS engineers
assure us that, since the conveyances mostly pass through environmentally
and socially unconstrained land, it will be comparatively simple for the
detailed design engineers to adjust the route to avoid important sites. They
will have the constraints maps that will be annexed to the ESMP to assist in
this. So, whilst it is preferable and feasible to avoid as many of the sites as
possible, if this becomes impracticable, thorough recording and/or
excavation can be conducted, according to the assessment of the site (for
which, see Section 2.5).
The final version of the ESA report due to be published in 2011 will include an
Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). Part of the ESMP will
include the measures to be taken by contractors during construction of the
RSDSC, and the measures to be taken by regulatory authorities to monitor and
supervise contractors’ performance. The measures described here will be
incorporated into the ESMP, as will any recommendations for institutional
strengthening of supervisory authorities.
The contractor(s) awarded the construction contract must refer to the database
and GIS maps provided in Annex C to this report (1) , that will show the
location of all the known archaeological sites within the scope of this report,
and brief information pertaining to them.
Because of the nature of archaeological sites – not always visible on the
surface, or the real size and importance may not be evident from surface
research – monitoring during construction is imperative for the whole project.
There should, therefore, be a watching brief, in co-operation with the
Department of Antiquities of each beneficiary party and in accordance to
World Bank guidelines and policies. If any sites are located by the watching
brief during construction, then a chance finds procedure must be in place
which meets the legal requirements of each beneficiary party (see Annex B).
(1) Reproduced from the Archaeology Field Survey Database Report, August 2010
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7.2
MITIGATION MEASURES DURING CONSTRUCTION
7.2.1
Pipelines Involving Deep Trenching
Since the exact alignment of pipelines tends to be defined at the time of project
implementation, the mitigation measures for these should combine
archaeological survey with salvage and documentation of sites found as the
right of way is cleared and ground is broken. Thus, a watching brief is
essential and could consist of one archaeologist surveying the land for the
presence of sites with the engineering survey team that is laying out the line;
and a second archaeologist who is watching the bulldozers and earth-moving
machines that are actually cutting the trenches. If any site is located, then the
archaeologists must direct the Contractor to halt work and then be given an
agreed amount of time and back-up personnel to record the site, The relevant
antiquities authority will need to be informed of the discovery (see chance
finds procedure in Annex B). If the site is deemed to be significant (by the
archaeologist), then the archaeologist may recommend either that the site be
avoided (if at all possible) or that a rescue excavation be undertaken
immediately. The reason for watching the trenching is that there is the
possibility of buried sites in many places.
7.2.2
Construction Sites (Portals, Desalination and Hydropower Plant Sites)
Assuming that an updated survey has been carried out where necessary in the
exact areas of the construction, then a watching brief by one archaeologist who
will look for buried sites wherever foundations or trenches are made, will be
sufficient. Again, if anything is found then the archaeologist must be given an
agreed amount of time and back-up personnel to record the site, and if it is
significant, to undertake a rescue excavation immediately as detailed above.
If an archaeologist is present during all phases of the construction, whether it
is a pipeline, or a construction site, then any sites, or chance finds, will be dealt
with appropriately, in agreement with the Department of Antiquities. The
presence of an archaeologist on the work site should help to keep the work
team informed about the importance of protecting this valuable resource, and
thus diminish the likelihood of theft of, or damage to sites or objects found.
The need for a watching brief for these areas will cease once all earth moving
has finished; in other words, there is no need to watch during the actual
building of structures etc.
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7.2.3
Cost Estimates
The cost in Jordan, at today’s prices, of running such a watching brief, with
two people, might be in the order of 275 JD per day, which includes the hire of
a 4 x 4 vehicle, fuel, accommodation [assuming it to be with the construction
crew] food, miscellaneous expenses and wages for the two Department of
Antiquities personnel. The cost of running a rescue excavation during
construction, again assuming two archaeologists from the DoAJ, plus two
local workmen, might be in the order of 400 JD per day. It should be
remembered that any finds made during excavations will need to be analysed
and reported, therefore time for such analysis and reporting needs to be
budgeted for as well. As a rough guide, analysis and reporting for
excavations take a greater amount time than the field time spent and requires
the input of a variety of specialists according to the nature of the finds
recovered during the excavation. If particularly interesting and fragile objects
are found, these also need to be conserved.
The requirements of a watching brief for the western freshwater pipeline,
where previously undisturbed soil is moved, is determined by the Israel
Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the PA respectively.
The IAA will ask for a development survey based on the actual plans of the
route. If there is a likelihood of previous undisturbed sites or parts of sites
occurring along the route, the IAA will conduct an on-site inspection. (The
IAA presently costs on-site inspection and survey at 1097 NIS per day). It is
also possible that the IAA will demand to carry out trenching with an
inspector in certain areas that are deemed to have a high archaeological
potential. The cost of trenching (archaeologist plus a back-hoe digger and
driver) is presently about 2,000 NS per day. The IAA may demand that a
salvage excavation take place in wake of the trenching or just release that area.
The situation in the Palestinian territories is at present unclear. The area has
been investigated by the relevant authorities in Israel and the PA. There are
some significant sites. The complex of Qumran is of international importance,
for example. A road has been constructed through this area, and further
disturbance can be avoided by staying within the construction zone of this
road. At this stage it can be said that some disturbance is likely but effective
mitigation is available.
7.2.4
Mitigation for Sites Near the Project Area
Most of the different elements of the RSDSC are situated in areas that are
currently relatively remote and, mostly, completely undeveloped and visited
or used by very few people indeed. With the implementation of the RSDSC,
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during the construction phase, the number of people working and living in
the area will inevitably increase. Thus there is increased danger of impact to
archaeological sites in the areas surrounding the work sites and work camps,
i.e. that are not directly affected by the construction itself. In order to avoid
any damage to these, particularly those that have been assessed in categories 3
and 4, various mitigation measures should form part of a code of practice that
is within the contracts of the contractors.
These mitigation measures should include:
•
Restricting the movement of all vehicles (particularly heavy machinery) to
designated access roads and work areas and prohibiting their use for
anything other than work;
•
Monitoring the dumping of domestic and construction waste to ensure
that it occurs only in designated areas;
•
Education of the work force in the field about the importance and value of
the national heritage and of archaeological sites to avoid theft and
vandalism. This could be done through a series of lectures and visits to
sites of interest in the area;
•
Any known site of significance that is close by the construction should be
fenced temporarily to avoid accidental damage.
In order to ensure that all such requirements are being adhered to correctly, it
is important that some system of monitoring is established. Thus, regular
inspections by Department of Antiquities personnel, or other officially
approved persons, should be carried out both during the earth-moving and
construction stages.
7.3
MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING DURING OPERATION
Once the RSDSC is operational, there should no longer be any direct impact to
archaeological sites from the RSDSC itself, and therefore further monitoring
will not be necessary. If the pipeline option is selected, there is a possibility of
leakage, which may affect any sites in the vicinity. Although this would not be
a major concern in terms of site preservation, nevertheless, in such a case, the
concerned archaeological authority would need to be informed in order to put
any measures deemed necessary in place to protect the sites.
The creation of new access roads will have opened up access to areas that
were previously very difficult to reach, and this may induce some
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development. Therefore, any access roads that were created specifically for the
RSDSC and all work camps that will no longer be needed once the RSDSC is
operational should be removed, in order to return accessibility to how it was
before the RSDSC.
7.4
KEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Table 7.1 summarises the proposed mitigation measures for the most
important sites identified in the region that fall into the ‘critical’ assessment
category. Any impact to these sites should be avoided by relocating the
relevant elements of the RSDSC.
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1802019
1900001,
1900010–
1900026
1897002
1694001
377
220–234, 386–394, 638
382
303
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Site number
Roman fort and bath complex,
Nabataean/Roman and Byzantine, east-west
trade route.
Major caravan station with settlement on the
ancient trade route. Inhabited Hellenistic to
Byzantine
Network of sites including agricultural and
copper exploitation with associated settlements,
from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age,
Iron Age, Roman and Byzantine and Islamic
times
Nabataean/Roman fort, reservoir and large
field system
Description
72
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Gharandal
Bir Mathkour
Wadi Finan
complex of
sites
Qasr Telah
Site name
Mitigation Measures for Most Important Archaeology Sites Identified
ID number
Table 7.1
southern canal
section (high level
tunnel)
northern canal
section (high level
tunnel)
northern canal
section (high level
tunnel)
Penstock and
access to low level
hydropower plant
site
Element of RSDSC
Make sure that access roads
and stone dumps avoid the
site.
Relocate canal 1km north or
south to avoid site. Intensive
survey prior to construction
Relocate canal to at least 1km
away from the complex of sites
Relocate at least 500 metre
further west, to avoid site and
field system. Make sure access
roads avoid the main site
elements
Mitigation
fortress during the Roman period, surrounded
by roman campsites. Jewish national symbol.
World heritage site.
Jewish settlement, centre of balsam production,
synagogue with very fine mosaics. Part of
nature reserve
Essene settlement from the Hellenistic period,
village with field system and burial site.
Surrounded by caves in which the Dead Sea
scrolls were found.
Nabataean caravanserai and associated village
Description
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Masada
1144
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En Gedi
908, 1006–1023, 1039–1051, 1053–
1061, 1063–1071, 1073–1079, 1081–
1086, 1149, 1152, 1154, 1156–
1160,1193,1195,1196
Rujm Taba
Qumran and
Ain Feshka
SAAR 17–19
and SAAS
135–136
288
Site name
798–802,804–837, 648–672
Site number
ID number
Freshwater
pipeline west
Freshwater
pipeline west
Freshwater
pipeline west
Portal 0–3
Element of RSDSC
Avoid the settlement. Follow
the existing road as closely as
possible to minimize damage.
Close monitoring during
construction
Avoid the settlement. Follow
the existing road as closely as
possible to minimize damage.
Close monitoring during
construction
Avoid the settlement. Follow
the existing road as closely as
possible to minimize damage.
Close monitoring during
construction
Make sure that access roads
avoid the site.
Mitigation
7.5
OVERVIEW OF OTHER ARCHAEOLOGUCAL SITES IN THE PROJECT AREA
Saltwater pipeline: Apart from the two Roman towers in the south, no sites of
major importance were found along the route. Damage to all sites found can
be mitigated by thorough recording and/or excavation.
Eastern intake: No sites were found here.
Pumping station, north of Aqaba airport: No sites were found here.
Portals 1–6: All portals had some archaeological sites, but only portals 1 and 4
had sites of interest. Portal 1 had two sites of particular interest (sites 73 and
77) consisting of sets of enclosures and structures. Portal 4 had some large
spreads of prehistoric flints, some found by this survey (sites 74–76) and some
previously published, which are interesting for their rarity in the region.
Damage to all sites found can be mitigated by thorough recording and/or
excavation.
Southern canal: Of the few sites found along this line, only one is of special
interest (site 81), and here again, damage to all sites found can be mitigated by
thorough recording and/or excavation.
Northern canal: The northern end of this line is in the major site complex of
Wadi Finan, and this should absolutely be avoided. Equally, the southern end
of this line lies just to the north of the Bir Mathkour complex, which should
equally be sure to be avoided.
A number of sites were found along the rest of this line, but only 2 sets of
enclosures (sites 44 and 51) and two flint concentrations (sites 63 and 65) are of
particular interest. Damage to all sites found can be mitigated by thorough
recording and/or excavation.
High level desalination plant (tunnel conveyance): Several sites were found in
both proposed locations for Zone C, but damage to all these sites can be
mitigated by thorough recording and/or excavation. However, at the foot of
the hills below these zones is the major site of Qasr Telah and its field system,
which should be avoided.
Low level hydropower plant and desalination plant site near Fifa: Only two
sites were found here, the channels sites 16 and 17, damage to which can be
mitigated by recording and test trenches across the channels.
Penstock: Only 2 small sites were found in the part of the route that was
surveyed. Damage to all sites found can be mitigated by thorough recording
and/or excavation.
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Eastern freshwater line: There are many sites along this alignment, many
previously recorded and more found by the present survey. A number of
these, consisting mainly of ancient village sites, will need to be avoided (136,
137 and 463). Others, such as stone circles, towers, agricultural complexes,
caves etc. will need to be excavated if they are to be impacted by the RSDSC.
Many other sites can simply be thoroughly recorded, if they are to be
impacted by the RSDSC.
Western freshwater line: Masada, Ein Gedi and Qumran are all major site
complexes. If the existing road is followed, Masada will not be affected.
Damage to Ein Gedi and Qumran must be avoided by following the existing
road corridor as closely as possible.
Table 7.2
Summary of Archaeological Sites per RSDSC Area
RSDSC area
Brief overview of current
situation
Number of
sites
within 1
km
Number
of sites
within
100 metre
Aqaba/Eilat
Urban and built areas, much
disturbed land. No sites in
RSDSC areas
Desert landscape, a few small
modern villages, Bedouin
camps. Sites of all types and
most periods, some of great
importance.
Desert landscape, some small
modern settlements and
agriculture. Few sites overall
Steep slopes in west with no
modern settlement; uplands
with many modern villages and
agriculture; eastern desert
margins with little settlement or
agricultural sites occur all along,
from all periods, but fewer in the
steep western area
Desert area with modern
settlements and agriculture near
springs. Some sites of great
historical importance, and many
smaller sites of all types and
periods.
0
0
Number
of sites
within 50
metre
(see note
1)
0
256
99
28
0
0
0
588
68
18
85
unknown
3 main areas
Wadi
Araba/Arava
Valley
Dead Sea and
Surroundings
Freshwater
pipeline,
Jordan
Freshwater
pipeline, Israel
and PA
Notes:
1 These sites would fall wthin mitigation categories 3 and 4 as described in Section 3.5
RSDSC ESA STUDY
ARCHAEOLOGY SITE ASSESSMENT REPORT
72