© Kamla-Raj 2010 Anthropologist, 12(1): 27-33 (2010) Analysis of the Socio-Cultural Heritage of Madaba - an Approach to Conservation of Heritage Buildings: The Case Study of Dar Al Saraya in Madaba Ali Abu Ghanimeh, Ali El-Ghul, Rana Al Saqqa and Mazen Al Nabulsi Department of Architecture, University of Jordan, P.O. Box 1621, Amman 11941, Jordan Fax: 962 6 5355588; Email: aabughanimeh@yahoo.com KEYWORDS Cultural Heritage. Awareness. Conservation. Context ABSTRACT Worldwide, much of the built cultural heritage is threatened by neglect, encroachment, shortcomings in conservation and a lack of maintenance. The heritage is further threatened by inadequate social awareness of its value and by the lack of an effective legal protection framework. Conservation and rehabilitation of old historic buildings have thus become a priority at the different levels and sectors of society involved. This paper discusses the strategies that must be implemented when a traditional building requires rehabilitation in order to enhance its sociocultural value to the national heritage. The Dar al Saraya building in Madaba, Jordan, is used as an example. INTRODUCTION The city of Madaba is located 30 km south- west of the Jordanian capital, Amman. It has a deep historical character made up of varied and rich civilizations. The historical layers of the city represent a unique and genuine urban and religious heritage that can still be observed in the remaining monuments, in addition to the inherited memories of the people of Madaba across several generations. The urban character of the city, including its historical locations, has been much examined, and many efforts have been made to document and conserve or redevelop the cultural and physical values associated with its built environment. This area of research, however, still requires more concentrated, structured studies to emphasize comprehensive development as part of the effort to preserve and maintain its rich cultural heritage. Madaba exhibits a number of structures that can play a major role in the development of comprehensive policies designed to maintain the urban character of the area. An example of this is the Dar al Saraya, located at the semi-hilly area known as the small acropolis of the city. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The research design reported here employs an analytical and descriptive approach, where observation and analysis were combined to analyze different aspects and problems of interest. The historic building of Dar Al Saraya in Madaba is used as an example of a typical rehabilitation project. Analysis of previous reports, site visits, and photographic documentation of the building were carried out. The result is a set of recommen- dations for the implementation of a suggested conservation plan. Aims of the Study: Philosophy of Conservation and Intervention Our objectives are 1- To identify the policies and strategies normally used in the conservation of heritage buildings, and to use them to underscore the sociocultural and historic significance of the al Saraya building; 2- To identify areas of conservation through direct application on the case study - the al Saraya building, and 3- to determine the positive character of the building in relation to its built environment in the surrounding area. The built heritage needs to be managed and maintained. A conservation plan is essential to assist those responsible for individual sectors of the built heritage to help them take into account the needs of their site or building and how it can effectively be preserved and developed. MADABA CITY Modern Madaba has an area of 27650 dunams, and is located at an elevation between 775-800 m above mean sea level. 1 At different times in the past, Madaba came under the control or influence of different civilizations such as the Moabites,