A magnificent postcard posted direct from
Jordan featuring a
UNESCO World Heritage Site -
Um Er-Rasas. It is one of the 5
UNESCO sites from
Jordan.
Most of this archaeological site, which started as a
Roman military camp and grew to become a town from the 5th century, has not been excavated. It contains remains from the
Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods (end of 3rd to 9th centuries AD) and
a fortified Roman military camp. The site also has
16 churches, some with well-preserved mosaic floors. Particularly noteworthy is the mosaic floor of the
Church of Saint Stephen with its representation of towns in the region. Two square towers are probably the only remains of the practice, well known in this part of the world, of the
stylites (ascetic monks who spent time in isolation atop a column or tower).
Um er-Rasas is surrounded by, and dotted with, remains of ancient agricultural cultivation in an arid area.
The two stamps used for postage include:-
- Right side stamp in the photo shows the Ruins of Arc de Triomphe. Initially the stamp was issued in 2003 for a value of 25 Fils, however it was later surcharged for 80 pt in 2009.
- The fox stamp on the left is with a face value of 30 pt was issued on 25th August 2009. It was one of the set of 5 stamps.
On 8 July 2011 the Voortrekker Monument, designed by the architect Gerard Moerdijk, was declared a National Heritage Site by the South African Heritage Resource Agency.
The sender sent the postcard with 5 beautiful stamps. These stamps were issued as a 16-stamp set on 27 October 2010 under the topic of "Crafts".
