The recent excavations in Jordan in 1997 uncovered a series of ancient sites associated with the tradition of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, located along the length of the Wadi Al-Kharrar, east of the river. At the site of Tell Al-Kharrar, identified as Bethany beyond the Jordan, a Byzantine monastery was discovered. The site is located nearly two kilometres (1.2 miles) east of the Jordan River, at the start of the Wadi Al-Kharrar. Several natural springs form pools that start the flow of water through the Wadi Al-Kharrar, eventually feeding into the Jordan River. An idyllic oasis dominates the start of Wadi Al-Kharrar and the site of Tell Al-Kharrar.


Adjacent to the Jordan River itself the archaeologists excavated a 6th- 7th Century Byzantine church complex with at least four churches, including remains of foundations and walls, mosaic floors, fine coloured stone pavements, Corinthian capitals, and column drums and bases. This is identified as the church that ancient pilgrims said had been built by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius (491-518 AD) to commemorate the baptism of Jesus, in particular the place where Jesus had left his clothes on the riverbank. The firm identification relies on the Byzantine texts' description of a church peculiarly built on raised stone arches, in order to withstand the seasonal flooding of the Jordan River.

With the opening of the Baptism Archaeological Park to the public, people from throughout the world can visit the site for themselves, and experience the unique continuity of spirituality that is measured in this land in thousands of years. Pilgrims and other visitors will be able to reach the Byzantine monastery at Bethany beyond the Jordan, the churches and other ancient remains on the pilgrims' route, the Wadi el-Kharrar, and the "Jungle of the Jordan" region alongside the Jordan River Service facilities that have been provided by the Jordanian government include a new road from the Dead Sea area, a visitors' centre , paths and walkways to the most important religious and archaeological sites, and all necessary sanitary and transport facilities.