Stephen Bourke facts for kids

Stephen Bourke is an Australian archaeologist. He studies the ancient Near East, which is a very old part of the world. He earned his special university degree, called a Ph.D., from University College London in 1992.

Stephen Bourke has been in charge of big digging projects, called excavations, for the University of Sydney. Since 1992, he has led the work at a place called Pella in Jordan. Before that, he also directed digs at another site named Teleilat el Ghassul.

Who is Stephen Bourke?

Stephen Bourke is an archaeologist. An archaeologist is like a history detective! They dig carefully into the ground to find old objects and buildings. These discoveries help us learn about how people lived a very long time ago. Stephen Bourke focuses on the ancient Near East, which includes countries like Jordan, Syria, and Iraq today. This area is known for some of the earliest civilizations.

Digging Up History in Jordan

Stephen Bourke has spent many years leading important archaeological digs. These projects help us understand ancient cultures. He works with teams from the University of Sydney to uncover secrets from the past.

What is Pella?

One of Stephen Bourke's main projects is at a site called Pella in Jordan. Pella is a very old city that has been lived in for thousands of years. Archaeologists like Stephen Bourke dig there to find out about the different groups of people who lived in Pella throughout history. They find ancient houses, tools, and art.

Exploring Teleilat el Ghassul

Before working at Pella, Stephen Bourke also directed excavations at Teleilat el Ghassul. This is another important archaeological site. It gives us clues about early farming communities in the Near East. Digging at places like Teleilat el Ghassul helps us learn how people first started living in villages and growing food.