+962 7 9635 8199
[email protected]
Floating Through History: The Dead Sea and Jordan’s Ancient Secrets
A voyage steeped in heritage, advances in scientific knowledge and discovery of the great wonders of nature.
Jordan is a country located in the Middle East that boasts being one of the oldest countries in the world and home to some of the most stunning natural formations. This sea is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world, offering not only an intriguing historical experience but also a mysterious element of the scientific view on its existence. The following paragraphs will try guiding you by an incredible tour around the mysterious magnetism of Jordan and the great marvels of the Dead Sea.
Nature’s Salty Marvel and Jordan’s Ancient Treasures – A curse or a bless ?
The Dead Sea is often referred to as the cursed sea, the main origin of this belief being the bible’s Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were as noted sinful and were eventually punished by God through fire and brimstone. Hence, the incident implies that Sodom and Gomorrah’s beautiful land was turned into the inhospitable, arid Dead Sea. This link to sin and consequent divine retribution and this affiliation with the Dead Sea being cursed.
Dead Sea’s reputation is more complex than a simple curse. While its extreme salinity prevents most life and its name evokes lifelessness, it’s also been a source of valuable minerals for millennia, and the surrounding area has religious significance. Some Biblical narratives describe the region’s destruction as a punishment, but others suggest future restoration. So, the Dead Sea has been viewed as both a place of devastation and one with potential blessings. We will consider the bright side!
Nature’s Salty Marvel and Jordan’s Ancient Treasures – A curse or a bless ?
Jordan has many fascinating natural attractions, among which the Dead Sea is famous for its high degree of salinity and is one of the saltiest seas on the planet. Regarding salinity, the approximate number of 9 is attributed to this element. Six times saltier than the ocean, it produces a mutinous force that propels individuals on the surface of the liquid with minimal effort. This quite absurd experience is widely popular among tourists from different countries.
The Science Behind the Salinity When reviewing the salinity information assembled, it is crucial to understand that it is based on scientific work disclosing the way salt impacts on the human body, both in terms of illness prevention and cure.
The Dead Sea is known for its extreme salinity, the fact that it is located in the Jordan Rift Valley region, which is along the edge of a tectonic plate. This, coupled with high rates of evaporation in the region and preferred low water-inflow, results in the deposition of mineral and salty contents. The main salts that are accountable for this salinity include sodium chloride, usually referred to as table salt, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride.
Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea occupies an important place in the story of civilization and the tradition of cultures depicted in the Bible. It is also named in the Bible as the home of Sodom and Gomorrah cities, the cities, which were punished by Gods’ anger. The region around the Dead Sea is densely populated, and the archeological discoveries prove the fact that this area was inhabited thousands of years ago; it is the place of the Qumran Caves, where most of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Published in 1948, these writings predating the Common Era by as much as five centuries are ranked among the most important archaeological discoveries of the 1900s century since they give a unique insight into Judaic ritual and religion of the 1st century that birthed Christianity.
A Geological Wonder
Geologically, Dead sea has always proved to be unique with wide and deep interesting geological structure. It is located right at the floor of the ocean, being less than 1,411 feet above the sea level. This position also creates an unusual barometric pressure phenomenon, where the pressure inside the shipping container is higher than the atmospheric pressure at sea level, which has perceived health benefits such as higher levels of oxygen and fewer allergens.
Ecological Concerns and Conservation Efforts
Despite its allure, the Dead Sea is facing significant ecological challenges. The water level has been dropping at an alarming rate due to water diversion from the Jordan River, its primary source, for agricultural and domestic use. This has led to the formation of dangerous sinkholes along the shoreline. Efforts are underway to address this environmental crisis, including the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance project, which aims to replenish the Dead Sea with water from the Red Sea.
