Azraq

Azraq

According to archaeological evidence, Azraq has been inhabited for hundreds of thousands of years, with the earliest known sites being from the Lower Paleolithic, some 500-300,000 years ago. The oasis, fed by a spring, offered a source of water that was more or less constant during this period, and probably served as a refuge for humans and other animals when the surrounding area was dry. The Azraq Wetland Reserve was founded in 1978. This unique wetland is in the heart of the arid Jordanian desert. It contains a number of ponds, a seasonally flooded marshland, and a vast tidal flat. Many species of birds visit the site every year to rest during their long migrations between Africa and Europe, or to spend the winter and some breed in the marsh. By 1993, the wetland had been so severely depleted of water that no surface water remained. Its ecological value was virtually destroyed. A rescue operation began in 1994 and much of the wetland was restored with international support. Many of the birds that made the Oasis famous returned, and special boardwalks and aviaries were built for their viewing and enjoyment. The reserve is currently used by about 180 species on a regular basis, in addition to about 90 vagrants and about 20 breeding species, making a total of about 290 species. The most important archaeological site in the area is the remains of the Roman city walls dating back to 300 AD. The Omayyads made their contribution to the history of the area, and the desert castles around the reserve are evidence of their presence.