Department of Antiquities: From Third Circle, walk up Zahran St. Turn left at the traffic light, then immediately right (tel. 64 44 82). Research office and library with information on the latest digs. Distributes books and detailed maps of the country’s 3 regions (Amman/Irbid, Karak, and Ma’an), highlighting archeologicai sites. Open Sat.-Thurs. 8am-2pm.

Friends of Archeology: Jabal Amman (tel. 69 66 83), P.O. Box 2440. Facing west, take a left at the Fourth Circle. Turn right, left and left again, and the FoA center will be on your right. A private local organization sponsoring weekly field trips to historical sites. Travelers can hitch a ride with some trips. Call American Center for Oriental Research (tel. 84 61 17), or read their newsletter posted at cultural centers. Free field trips usually leave from Department of Antiquities. Office open Sun.-Thurs. 8:3Oam-2pm and first 2 Mondays of each month 4-6pm.

American Cultural Center: Abdoun, inside the American Embassy Complex (tel. 82 01 01, fax 81 37 59). Free American films every Sun. and Thurs., cable TV and occasional lectures. Open Sun.-Thurs. 8am-4pm.