Museum Little Traditions

Little Traditions

Sultans, kings, and rulers came and went, but the way people lived at Shobak remained unchanged for centuries. These everyday traditions helped families grow food, make useful things, and trade with passing caravans on their way to Mecca, Cairo, and Damascus.

 

Archaeologists have found old mills, oil presses, and workshops in now-abandoned villages near the castle, like Shbeikeh, Baddah, Sihan, Jarba, and Jaya. These villages, once full of life, stood on rich, fertile land with plenty of water. The material remains of these activities include heavy stones used to press olives for oil, grinding stones for flour, and mortars of different sizes that could be used in many ways.

 

One important tradition was ensuring a steady supply of fresh drinking water. People placed big clay jars on special stands near the gates of their houses or inside their homes, so everyone had easy access to clean water. The artifacts on display, including the jar stands, come specifically from the village that, after the Mamluk period, occupied the ancient fortress of Shobak.

 

These discoveries show us that while history is full of battles and kings, it was the simple, everyday things—like making food and storing water—that truly shaped life at Shobak. These traditions lasted for centuries, keeping the community strong and connected to its land.