THE TAFILA-BUSAYRA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY – REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
ANTIQUITIES OF JORDAN
Introduction:
The Tafila-Busayra Archaeological Survey (TBAS) is a three-year project (1999-2002). It attempts to connect, both
geographically and chronologically, with the work of the Wadi al-Hasa Archaeological Survey (WHS) (1979-1983)
(MacDonald et al. 1988) and the Southern Ghors and Northeast `Arabah Archaeological Survey (SGNAS) (1985-1986)
(MacDonald et al. 1992). Thus, it will survey an area of ca. 480 square km in the region from just west of Tafila and
Busayra to Jurf ad-Darawish in the east. This area represents the territory immediately to the south and east
respectively of that which the WHS and the SGNAS covered (fig. 1).
Both Nelson Glueck and Stephen Hart carried out archaeological survey work in this area previous to the work of the
TBAS. The former conducted explorations in the area in 1933 (1934: 77-81), 1934 (1935: 95-100), and 1936 (1939:
19, 25-32, 53) and the latter in 1984 (Hart 1986; Hart and Falkner 1985). These surveys only scratched the surface of
the archaeological riches of the area. In addition, Parker (1986: 91-93) visited two sites, namely, the Jurf ad-Darawish
castellum and Qasr al-Bint, in his survey of the southern sector of the Roman limes. Finally, Fiema (1993, 1997)
carried out work at At-Tuwana along the Via Nova Traiana in the central segment of the TBAS survey area in 1992
while Waheeb conducted a survey of the Tafila-Ghor Feifeh road alignment in the northeast segment of the territory in
the same year (1993). (1)
With the exception of Bennett’s work at the Busayra Citadel (1974, 1975, 1977, 1983; Bienkowski 1997), no full-scale
excavations have been carried out in the TBAS survey area. (2) The present project’s work will encourage greater
interest in the archaeology of the area and result in further excavations.
Team members for the 1999, eight-week, infield season (May-June) included Burton MacDonald (St. Francis Xavier
University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia), director; Andrew Bradshaw (St. Francis Xavier University), aerial photographs,
colour slides, B/W photos, and pottery registration; Larry Herr (Canadian University College, College Heights,
Alberta), pottery specialist; Michael Neeley (University of North Carolina, Greensboro), lithic specialist; and Scott
Quaintance (Kansas State University, Manhattan), Global Positioning System (GPS), digital cameras, and mapping.
Additionally, Piotr Bienkowski (Liverpool Museum, U.K.), Brett Hill (Arizona State University, Tempe), Khaled
Moumani (Natural Resources Authority, Mapping Division, Amman), and Jane Peterson (Marquette University,
Milwaukee, WI) joined the survey for short periods of time. Imad Drous served as representative of the Department of
Antiquities while Abu Yousef was project cook.
The TBAS is a licensed project of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (Excavation Permit No. 12/99 to Burton
MacDonald on April 27, 1999). Moreover, the Committee on Archaeological Policy (CAP) of the American Schools
of Oriental Research has affiliated the project. (3) The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
has provided funding for the project (File No. 410-99-0541).
1
Figure 1: The TBAS Territory
2
Objectives:
The objectives of the project are fourfold:
1) to provide a statistically, valid sample of artifacts and archaeological sites in the various topographical zones of the
survey area. Towards this end, the survey territory is divided into three topographical zones based on the 1:50,000
scale maps (fig. 2): a) Zone 1: the gorges, that is, the area of steep wadis that generally flow in a northwest direction
towards the Southern Ghors and Northeast `Arabah (11 random plots, each measuring 500 x 500 square meters); b)
Zone 2: the area of the so-called Edomite Plateau, or part of the Transjordanian Plateau, from just west of Tafila and
Busayra towards Jurf ad-Darawish in the east (70 random plots, each measuring 500 x 500 square meters); and c) Zone
3: the desert region in the area of Jurf ad-Darawish (six random plots, each measuring 500 x 500 square meters);
2) to serve as a “hinterlands” survey of the ancient site of the Busayra Citadel, the Edomite capital. For this purpose,
the TBAS project designated a 3 km radius around the citadel as Zone Busayra (fig. 3). (4) This zone incorporates
topographical characteristics of both Zones 1 and 2.
3) to “ground-proof,” with the assistance of David Kennedy, several aerial photographs of the survey territory; and
4) to investigate the archaeological materials, specifically lithics, associated with Wadi Juheira Lake, a Pleistocene lake
that Khaled Moumani has identified and mapped in the Jurf ad-Darawish region (Moumani 1996, 1997).
Methodologies:
The methodologies that the TBAS team members employed varied according to the project’s objectives. For example,
when working on the random squares of Zones 1, 2, and Busayra, a corner of the random square was first located using
a Global Positioning System (GPS). Once a corner was located, survey team members positioned themselves, usually a
distance of 25-50 m apart, along one of the lines of the square. Then, with the help of compasses to keep a straight line,
team members transected the plot, picking up lithics and sherds in particular. Depending upon the number of team
members (from four-six) on any given day, one transect was often sufficient to cover the 200 x 200 m squares of Zone
Busayra. However, for the 500 x 500 m squares, two transects were generally required to cover the area. TBAS team
members also used pedestrian transects to cover the shores of Wadi Juheira Lake in their search for sites. Relative to
the aerial photos that Kennedy supplied, team members studied these the night before and decided how best to get in,
by means of a 4-wheel drive vehicle, to the area the photos depicted. Once in the area, TBAS team members then
located themselves topographically on the basis of the photos and drove or walked to the area that Kennedy had
designated as a potential site. A judgment was then made as whether or not to give the indicated feature a TBAS site
number. If the feature was judged to be a site then it was surveyed as such. Finally, a purposive, survey methodology
was used extensively throughout the Tafila-Busayra-Jurf ad-Darawish region. This involved surveying all sites noted
either within or adjacent to the random squares, interviewing Department of Antiquities personnel relative to the
location of sites, and also talking with the farmers, shepherds, and Bedouin who live in the region about the
whereabouts of sites. Once a site was located and surveyed, TBAS team members made ever effort to insure that the
name of the site was ascertained.
3
Figure 2: GIS Randomly Chosen Plots
4
Figure 3: Zone Busayra
5
First Objective:
As noted above, the first objective of the project is to provide a statistically valid sample of artifacts and archaeological
sites in the survey area. (5) To this end, the TBAS team members have, relative to Zone 1, attempted to visit and
sample 11 random squares, which, as are all TBAS random squares, have been chosen on the basis of a Geographic
Information Systems database design and cartographic composition by Peter S. Johnson, Center for Applied Spatial
Analysis, The University of Arizona, Tuscon (coordinates in meters, UTM projection, Zone 36) (fig. 2). This zone, as
mentioned previously, is the region of the gorges or steep wadis. It is very difficult terrain in which to carry out
pedestrian transects. As a result, the TBAS team members were able to access only six of the 11 plots (Table 1). The
remaining five plots are in areas where the gorges are very precipitous and dangerous. Technical, mountain-climbing
expertise and equipment are required to survey these plots. Generally, these plots are so extensively eroded that there
is little opportunity of finding any in situ archaeological materials. Nevertheless, working on these 11 plots forced the
TBAS team members into all accessible areas of the northwest flowing, wadi system. As a result, based on preliminary
analysis, team members have surveyed and documented archaeological sites ranging from at least the Middle
Paleolithic to the Late Islamic period in Zone 1. The periods specifically represented are Middle Paleolithic, Iron II,
Persian/Hellenistic, Early Roman, Roman, Byzantine, Early Islamic, and Late Islamic (Table 1). Moreover, 11 sites
within or near Zone 1 represent possible Middle Paleolithic as well as Iron I, Iron II, Early Roman (Nabataean),
Roman, Byzantine, and possible Late Islamic (Table 2). We feel confident of our understanding of the chronological
prehistory and history of this zone. In addition, relative to Zone 1, TBAS team members investigated 19 sites along a
dirt road that leads from the Busayra region to the Northeast `Arabah at Wadi al-Dahal (Table 3). This road would
have joined, in antiquity, a route going from the Southern Ghors in the north to Feinan and southward to the Gulf of al`Aqaba on the Red Sea. The purposive survey of this route served as a means by which the TBAS territory is
connected geographically with that of the region of the SGNAS in the area of Wadi al-Dahal (MacDonald et al. 1992,
fig. 3). Lithic and ceramic readings from the sites surveyed along this route represent the Middle Paleolithic, Late
Chalcolithic, Chalcolithic/Early Bronze, Late Iron I, Iron II, Iron Age, Early Roman (Nabataean), Late Roman,
Byzantine, Byzantine/Early Islamic, Middle Islamic, and Late Islamic periods (Table 3). (6)
TABLE 1: RANDOM SQUARES (RS) (500 x 500 m2) OF ZONE 1, THE GORGES
RS No.
Sample No(s).
Periods Represented
_________________________________________________________________________________________
6
38 (Ceramics)/39 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Byz; Lisl
18
Inaccessible
19
Inaccessible
39
Inaccessible
42
Inaccessible
47
Inaccessible
56
147 (Ceramics)/148 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; Rom; Byz; EIsl; Lisl
64
123 (Ceramics)/124 (Lithics)
PL; Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; ERom; Rom; Byz; Lisl
65
119 (Ceramics)/120 (Lithics)
PL; Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; ERom; Byz; Lisl
75
112 (Ceramics)/113 (Lithics)
MPL; Ceramic period lithics; Per/Hell; Byz
80
105 (Ceramics)/106 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; ERom; Byz; LIsl
6
TABLE 2: SITES WITHIN OR NEAR RANDOM SQUARES OF ZONE 1, THE GORGES
Site No.
Within RS No.
Near RS No.
Periods Represented
20
-
6
LPL/MPL; Ceramic period lithics
21
6
-
Iron II; Byz/EIsl
36
-
56
Rom; Byz; poss LIsl
37
56
Ceramic period lithics; Iron I; Iron II; Rom-Byz
58
64
Poss MPL; Ceramic period lithics; Byz
59
65
Ceramic period lithics; poss Iron Age; Byz
60
65
Post-NL ceramic lithics
61
-
53
75
54
-
75
Ceramic period lithics; Rom-Byz; poss LIsl
55
-
75
Ceramic period lithics; ERom (Nab)
65
Iron II; ERom
Ud
TABLE 3: SITES ALONG DIRT ROAD TO WADI AL-DAHAL IN THE NORTHEAST `ARABAH
Site No.
Site Name
Site Description
Periods Represented
61
Rujm al-Musaykaneh
Watchtower
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; ERom (Nab)
62
Qasr Karayim bin `Ali
Rectilinear Structure/Tomb
Iron II; prob Byz
63
-
Circular Structure
Iron Age; LRom; Byz
64
-
Cave and/or Cistern
Poss PL; Iron II; LRom; Byz
65
-
Rectilinear Structure/Tomb
MPL; Byz; LIsl
66
-
Circular Structure
Rom; Byz; LIsl
67
-
Tomb
Nab; Byz/EIsl; MIsl
68
-
Circular Structure
MPL; Iron II; ERom; Byz
69
-
Rectilinear Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Byz
70
-
Rectilinear Structure/Wall
Iron Age; ERom; LRom; Byz
72
Kh. al-Qa`ayr
Rectilinear Structure/Tomb
Ceramic period lithics; Late Iron I; Iron II; Byz;
Ud
73
-
Rectilinear Structure/Wall
Ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; Rom; Byz
74
-
Circular Structure
Ceramic period lithics; EIsl; LIsl
75
-
Stone Pile/Wall
Poss PL; Ceramic period lithics; Byz; Ud Isl;
76
-
Rectilinear Structure
Early ceramic period lithics; LChal; Iron Age;
77
-
Rectilinear Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Post-classical sherds
78
-
Rectilinear Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Chal/EB; prob Iron Age
79
-
Circular Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; Rom; LIsl
80
-
Circular Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Byz; MIsl-LIsl
Byz; LIsl
TBAS team members transected only seven of the 70 random squares of Zone 2, that is, a segment of the Edomite or
Transjordanian Plateau from just west of Tafila-Busayra towards Jurf ad-Darawish in the east, during the 1999 infield
7
season (Table 4). Nevertheless, TBAS team members have already identified four sites within or near the squares of
Zone 2 (Table 5). The investigation of the remaining 63 squares of the zone is one of the main objectives of the 2000
infield season.
TABLE 4: RANDOM SQUARES (500 x 500 m2) OF ZONE 2, THE PLATEAU
Plot No.
Sample No(s).
Periods Represented
1
29 (Ceramics)/30 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Rom/Byz
2
34 (Ceramics)/33 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Chal/EB (?) lithics; Byz
3
27 (Ceramics)/28 (Lithics)
MPL; Ceramic period lithics; Rom; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
7
288 (Ceramics)/289 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Prob Iron Age; Rom (Nab); Byz;
9
275 (Ceramics)/276 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; LChal/EB; Iron Age; Byz
10
44 (Ceramics)/43 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; Rom; Byz; EIsl
11
286 (Ceramics)/287 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Rom-Byz
LIsl
TABLE 5: SITES WITHIN OR NEAR RANDOM SQUARES OF ZONE 2, THE PLATEAU
Site No.
Within Plot No.
Near Plot No.
Periods Represented
17
2
Ceramic period lithics
18
2
Ceramic period lithics
13
9
14
-
Ceramic period lithics; EIsl
9
Ceramic period lithics
As Tables 4 and 5 indicate, the periods represented in Zone 2 are generally consistent with those of Zone 1.
8
TBAS team members did not transect any of the six random squares in Zone 3 (Jurf ad-Darawish area) during the 1999
infield season. The transecting of these squares will be another of the main priorities of the 2000 infield season.
Second Objective:
A second objective of the project is to serve as “hinterlands” survey for Busayra (fig. 3), the Edomite capital. TBAS
team members accomplished this by attempting to walk transects of the 33 randomly chosen plots (200 x 200 square
meters) within a 3 km radius of the Busayra Citadel. (7) Moreover, they attempted to identify all archaeolgical sites
within this area regardless of whether or not they fell within the squares. They were able, during the 1999 infield
season, to access 29 of the plots as well as territory adjacent to them. Four of the 33 plots were not accessed. This is
due to the fact that the “hinterlands” survey includes segments of the “gorges” terrain that, otherwise, would have fallen
into Zone 1. Thus, RSs 9, 10, 11, and 14, remain unknown to the TBAS team members. The survey team, however,
have not given up on these plots. Further attempts will be made during the 2000 infield season to transect the plots in
question. On the basis of the plots accessed in this zone, we can now state that the periods represented include possible
Paleolithic, Iron Age, Iron II, Early Roman, Late Roman, Roman (Nabataean), Byzantine, Early Islamic, Middle
Islamic, Late Islamic, and Modern (Table 6).
TABLE 6: RANDOM SQUARES (200 x 200 m2) OF ZONE BUSAYRA
RS No.
Sample No(s).
Periods Represented
1
102
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; prob LIsl
2
179
Rom (Nab); Byz; MIsl-LIsl; Mod
3
180
Byz; LIsl
4
181
Iron II; LRom; Byz
5
171
LRom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
6
175 (Ceramics)/176 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron I/Iron II; Iron II; LPer-Hell;
7
172
Prob Iron Age; ERom; LRom; Rom (Nab); Byz; LIsl
8
173 (Ceramics)/174 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; Rom
9
Inaccessible
10
Inaccessible
11
Inaccessible
12
186
Iron II; Rom; LRom; Ud
13
64
LRom; LOtt (?)
14
Inaccessible
15
184 (Ceramics)/185 (Lithics)
PL (?); Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; LRom; Byz; EIsl
16
46 (Ceramics)/47 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Rom (Nab); LRom; Byz
17
187 (Ceramics)/188 (Lithics)
Poss PL; Ceramic period lithics; ERom; LRom; Byz; LIsl;
Byz/EIsl
Ud
18
45
Iron Age; LRom-Byz
19
182 (Ceramics)/183 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; Rom; Byz
20
49
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz/EIsl
21
91 (Ceramics)/92 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; ERom; Byz
22
89 (Ceramics)/90 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; Rom
23
189 (Ceramics)/190 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz
9
24
95 (Ceramics)/96 (Lithics)
Poss PL/ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; Byz
25
191
Iron Age; Rom; Byz
26
76
Iron II; Rom; LIsl
27
79 (Ceramics)/78 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; ERom dominant-few Nab
28
192 (Ceramics)/193 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron II; LRom; Byz
29
194
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz
30
85 (Ceramics)/86 (Lithics)
Iron II; Byz
31
83 (Ceramics)/84 (Lithics)
Ceramic period lithics; Iron Age; ERom; Byz
32
177
Iron Age; LRom; Byz; Mod
33
178
Iron Age; Rom; Byz dom; EIsl; MIsl/LIsl; Mod; Ud
As a result of the “hinterlands” survey of the Zone Busayra, work in Zones 1 and 2, and through purposive survey of
sites adjacent to these zones, the TBAS team members identified many major architectural sites. Previous to the
beginning of this project, only a half-dozen of these sites had been reported. They included such well-known sites as
the Busayra Citadel along with several sites, for example, Umm Dayifa, Khirbat al-Harith, Khirbat al-Janin, and
Khirbat `Ayn al-Beidha, along the so-called King’s Highway (Num 20:17; 21:22). As a result of the TBAS’ first
infield season, many more sites can be made known to the interested public. Thus, the intention is to publish, by means
of preliminary and final reports, information on these many sites that have been, up-to-now, only known to a few
people, for example, members of the Tafila Office of the Department of Antiquities, as well as Bedouin and shepherds
who both live and work in the region. Our hope is that, by such publications, attention will be drawn to the major
architectural sites in the area in order that they may be both protected from destruction and studied for further
information.
Tall Busayra, TBAS Site 132, serves as an excellent example of one particular, and as yet relatively unknown, site
within Zone Busayra. It is located 900 m down the slope from the modern gate that gives access to the Busayra
Citadel. It appears to be a tall and is cut by roads on the west, south, and east. Several wall lines are clearly visible in
these road cuts. One particular wall, uncovered four years ago during the bulldozing associated with the construction
of two modern, four-story buildings, still stands 6.25 m above the present street level and it is more than 1 m thick. It
runs in a north-south direction, extending radially from the Busayra Citadel, and is exposed for a distance of 25 meters.
The landowners left it in place to serve as a retaining wall for their buildings. Periods represented by the sherds
collected in the vicinity of the road cuts are Early Iron II, Iron II, Roman, Nabataean, Byzantine, Early Islamic, Late
Islamic, and Modern.
If Tall Busayra and the Busayra Citadel are contemporaneous, then the town was a very large one during the Iron II
period.
With respect to the Byzantine period, one limestone block features a partial Greek inscription and an associated
Christian cross (TBAS Site 133). The block is located in an arch of a roofless and presently abandoned Ottoman house
on the east side of modern Busayra. The inscription is upside down and is clearly a reused stone from an ecclesiastical
structure. It reads in part, “The Lord keep your going out and your coming in….” (Psalm 121:8) (T. Gagos, personal
10
communication). TBAS team members think that this gives definitive indication of the existence of a church that
Glueck (1934: 78 ) and others (Saller and Bagatti 1949: 231) mention as having existed in Busayra.
Third Objective:
A third objective to the project is to “ground-proof” aerial photographs of the area taken in 1953 (see Kennedy 1998a
and b). David Kennedy, University of Western Australia, Perth, has looked at aerial photos, at a scale of 1:25,000, of
certain segments of the TBAS territory and identified features that may be sites and should be investigated by the
TBAS team. He has provided team members with a printed list of the identified sites by numbers and an
accompanying description, along with an indication, by means of no stars to one-to-three stars, of how significant he
views each potential site.
The TBAS team members investigated 63 of these Kennedy-identified, potential sites on nine aerial photos during the
1999 season (Table 7). Preliminary results indicate that about 14 percent of these sites have been lost, due mainly to
development, such as agricultural field clearance, residential and road construction, and reforestation. In addition, 41
percent are archaeological sites that the TBAS team members documented. The remainder are field clearance in the
form of stone lines and stone piles, exposed bedrock, and animal pens and/or corrals. Although there are generally
some ceramics and lithics in the area where these features are located, the TBAS team has generally not designated
them as archaeological sites.
TABLE 7: KENNEDY’S AERIAL PHOTOS
Aerial Photo #
Kennedy’s #
Stars
Kennedy’s Comment
TBAS Finding
43.032
178
none
small hilltop earthworks
old and large terrace walls; a new
43.032
179
one
rectilinear earthworks TBAS Site 138, a farmstead
43.032
180
none
wall
as described; not a TBAS site
43.032
181
none
Tafila
TBAS Site 151, Qal`at at-Tafila
43.032
182
two
concentrated earthworks
ancient (?) terracing; not a TBAS site
43.032
183
one
concentrated earthworks
appears to be a rocky outcrop adjacent
cistern; not a TBAS site
to agricultural fields; not a TBAS site
43.032
184
none
earthworks at roadside
reforestation; not a TBAS site
43.032
189
one
hilltop earthworks
TBAS Site 13, Kh. `Arafah
43.032
190
one
earthworks and speckling
plowed field; not a TBAS site
47.126
230
none
faint disturbance, earthworks
TBAS Site 89, Kh. az-Zrayqiyat II
47.126
231
one
faint disturbance, earthworks
TBAS Site 88, Kh. az-Zrayqiyat I
47.126
232
one
faint disturbance, earthworks
road construction and reforestation
in the area; probably destroyed;
not a TBAS site
47.126
233
none
faint disturbance, earthworks
same explanation as for #232
47.126
234
three
several ruins beside modern structure TBAS Site 87, Kh. Hid
47.126
238
none
pale rectangular outline
not located probably due to
development in Tafila; no site
11
47.126
239
two
earthworks, disturbed ground
an animal pen; not a TBAS site
47.126
240
none
disturbed ground
agricultural terracing; field
clearance; light sherd and lithic
scatter; not a TBAS site
47.126
241
one
earthworks, disturbed ground
developed area; not a TBAS site
47.126
242
none
enclosures, disturbance,
TBAS Site 84, Kh. Abu Shauk
47.126
243
three
Kh. el-Is: small village, ruins
TBAS Sites 81, 82, 83, Kh. al-`Aiys
47.126
244
one
large pole, circular speckles,
mostly field clearance; some sherds
ploughed out tumali?
and lithics noted; not a TBAS site
47.125
245
none
discolouration, disturbance
possible tomb; erosion; not a TBAS
47.125
251
none
structure, discolouration
site
two residences; field clearances; some
sherds and lithics noted; not a TBAS
site
47.125
252
one
disturbance, enclosures
field clearances; some sherds and
47.125
253
none
disturbed ground, texturing
not visited
47.125
254
none
small structures, disturbance
TBAS Site 116, Kh. Hassan al-
lithics noted; not a TBAS site
Husayn, agricultural village
47.125
255
none
pale discoloured, disturbance
newly plowed fields; possible cistern;
not a TBAS site
47.125
258
none
disturbance, wall around
field clearance; some sherds and lithics
hilltop
noted; not a TBAS site
47.125
259
none
earthworks, faint
field clearance; not a TBAS site
47.125
260
none
disturbance, discolouration,
field clearance; TBAS Site 121
47.123
261
one
earthworks, structures?
exposed bedrock; possible animal
47.123
262
none
earthworks
exposed limestone; not a TBAS site
47.123
263
none
pale discolouration
exposed bedrock; not a TBAS site
47.123
264
none
dark spot – cairn?
field clearance; basalt stone piles;
47.123
266
none
disturbance on hilltop, wall?
pens; not a TBAS site
not a TBAS site
TBAS Site 120, Kh. al-Khadra,
foundation walls; wall lines
47.123
267
one
disturbance … structures
TBAS Site 119, Kh. Bizhayqeh, a
farmstead, quarry (?)
47.123
268
none
dark speckling – tumali?
field clearance and/or tombs; not
a TBAS site
47.123
269
none
earthworks, discolouration
exposed, white bedrock; not a TBAS
site
47.123
270
none
speckling – tumali?
47.123
271
none
disturbance, structure TBAS Site 9, Al-`Alaqeh, village
47.122
272
none
dark spot – cairn?
agricultural area; not a TBAS site
47.122
273
none
dark speckles – cairns?
TBAS Site 124, Tor `Abil Hammam
field clearance; not a TBAS site
enclosure small
47.122
274
one
faint enclosures
TBAS Site 123, Rujm Ras al-Hala
12
47.121
281
one
concentrated earthworks,
exposed bedrock, possibly used for
texturing
threshing and winnowing; not a TBAS
site
47.121
282
none
pale disturbance
an orchard; not a TBAS site
47.121
283
none
discolouration
modern construction; not a TBAS site
47.121
284
none
disturbance, discolouration
TBAS Site 40, Kh. Umm Sarab
25.033
326
none
enclosures
TBAS Site 149, Kh. al-`Amiyeh
25.033
327
none
disturbance
stone walls; not a TBAS site
25.033
328
one
disturbance on hilltop terracing; disturbance; not a TBAS site
25.032
316
one
rectangular enclosure water pumping station; not a TBAS site
25.032
317
three
Kh. el-Harir: large ruined
TBAS Site 142, Kh. Harir, large village
site. Village (?)
25.032
318
none
circular feature
TBAS Site 144, field clearance; dense
25.032
319
three
Kh. Umm el-Hamal: Village?
TBAS Site 143, Kh. Umm al-Harmal
25.032
320
three
Kh. es-Sahbaniya: ruins.
TBAS Site 146, no name; village
sherd scatter
Village (?)
25.032
321
three
large ruin. Village (?) TBAS Site 147, Kh. as-Sahbaniyeh
25.032
322
none
disturbance
field clearance; not a TBAS site
25.032
323
three
large hilltop ruin - village?
TBAS Site 126, Kh. Naqad, a village
25.032
324
none
irregular medium enclosure
wall lines, terraces?; not a TBAS site
25.032
325
two
enclosures
6.032
86
none
scatter of dark spots. Cairns?
residential area; not a TBAS site
6.032
87
three
Qasr er-Bint
TBAS Site 141, Jurf ad-Darawish
6.032
88
three
irregular fortification, TBAS Site 140, Qasr al-Bint
TBAS Site 137, Kh. Malafays, a village
castellum
structures, wall pitting
The use of aerial photographs caused the TBAS team members to investigate in an area to the east of Jabal al-Hala
(Zone 2). The survey team’s progress on the plots of Zone 2 does not currently include this area. However, it is now
known that this small area contains a large number of architectural sites (Appendix 3). This area will be revisited next
season when more of the random squares in Zone 2 are examined.
Because of the examination of random squares that gets survey team members into all areas of the territory to be
surveyed and the method of purposive survey that the present survey employs, the TBAS team members are of the
opinion that all the major sites that Kennedy identifies on his aerial photos would also be found without the use of the
photos. However, if one is interested in locating architectural sites exclusively through the use of aerial photographs,
then Kennedy’s identification of major sites (given two or three stars) ought to be of great help.
Fourth Objective:
A final objective of the project is to investigate the archaeological materials, especially lithics, associated with Wadi
Juheira Lake, a Pleistocene lake in the Jurf ad-Darawish region. Khaled Moumani has identified and geologically map
this lake (Moumani 1996, 1997).
13
Moumani joined the TBAS team members on June 2, 1999, and showed them the outlines of the lake that measures ca.
13 km (N-S) and is ca. 4 square km in area. He guided team members through areas of the lake close to the village of
Jurf ad-Darawish where he indicated the locations from which he took core samples that he has dated by means of
Optical Stimulating Luminescence (OSL) to 182 + 65 ka, 166 + 13 ka, and 82 + 6 ka (1996: 126). He has concluded
that some of the Paleolithic artifacts that he found embedded in the sediments from which he took his core samples are
either the same age as the sediments or they may be older (Moumani 1996: 134).
Following the above-described introduction to Wadi Juheira Lake, TBAS team members, over a five-day period,
surveyed the ancient “shores” of about half the lake and recorded 26 sites (Table 8). (8) The intention is to continue
the survey of Wadi Juheira Lake in the 2000 infield season. The sites range in date from the Lower Paleolithic to the
Late Islamic period. Preliminary analyses indicate that the oldest materials (provisionally dated to ca. 250,000 ka)
come from the northern and central segments of the lake. Middle Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic periods are particularly
well represented in this region. This dating is not at variance with the OSL dating mentioned above. In these areas,
TBAS team members did not notice any ceramic materials. However, in the southern segments of Wadi Juheira Lake,
survey team members collected Neolithic-Chalcolithic (Sites 101, 106, 107, 109, 110, 139), Early Bronze (Sites 107,
108 [poss]), Rom-Byz (Sites 104, 108), Byz (Sites 103 – probably a potbust, 105, 107, 109), probable or possible Late
Islamic ceramic materials (Sites 106, 108, 111) (Table 8). This appears to indicate that the southern segments of the
lake continued in existence and/or they contained water, at least seasonally, long after the northern segments had dried
up.
TABLE 8: TBAS WADI JUHERIA LAKE SITES (1999)
TBAS Site No.
Coordinates (E/N)
Type of Site
Periods Represented
91
774327/3398481
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL/UPL
92
774134/3398427
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL/UPL
93
774046/3398446
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL/UPL
94
774043/3398609
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
Early EPL
95
774266/3398264
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL/UPL
96
773778/3397894
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL
97
773863/3397780
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
UPL
98
775482/3399379
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL
99
775681/3399750
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL
100
775896/3400029
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL
101
769636/3393698
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Rectilinear Structure MPL/EPL; NL-Chal
102
769626/3393721
Lithic Scatter
103
769682/3393741
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Rectilinear Structure PL; NL/Chal; Byz (1 vessel ?)
104
769810/3393704
Lithic and Sherd Scatter
105
769884/3393728
Sherd Scatter/Potbust
Byz
106
770011/3393764
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Tomb (?)
Late EPL/Ceramic period
107
770301/3393676
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Circular Structure
Late EPL
Late EPL; Pre-classical bods;
Rom-Byz
lithics;NL-Chal; prob LIsl
NL/Chal; NL-Chal; EB bods;
Byz
14
108
770386/3393737
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Rectilinear Structure PL/Chal; EB, poss; Rom;
109
770492/3393731
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Rectilinear Structure PL; NL/Chal lithics; NL-Chal;
Byz;poss LIsl
Byz
110
771123/3393903
Lithic and Sherd Scatter/Stone Pile
NL-Chal
111
771276/3393942
Sherd Scatter/Rectilinear Structure
Ceramic period lithics; Late Isl
112
774042/3397781
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
LPL-UPL
113
773140/3396171
Lithic Scatter/Tomb/Stone Pile
PL/UPL/EPL
114
773245/3396349
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
MPL
115
773740/3396638
Lithic Scatter/Production Centre
LPL/MPL
139
770931/3393822
Sherd Scatter
NL/Chal/EB lithics; NL-Chal
The TBAS team members intend to continue their survey of Wadi Juheira Lake in the upcoming, infield season.
In conjunction with their work in the area of Wadi Juheira Lake, TBAS team members investigated a quarry that
Moumani discovered in Wadi al-Muqla`a, 3 km northwest of Al-Hussayniyya al-Janubiyya, during his study of the
geology of the Jurf ad-Darawish area (Moumani 1997: 52). He is of the opinion that “this site was probably quarried
during the building of ad-Da`ajaneh Castle 7.5 km south of this locality” (1997: 52). (9) He further states that, “the
limestone of this quarry was probably used in building the main enclosure wall and the arched gates to the castle”
(1997: 52). The TBAS team members’ collection of Late Roman/Byzantine sherds from a circular enclosure
immediately south of the quarry provides evidence supporting Moumani’s opinions (see Parker 1986: 93-94 on the AdDa`ajaneh Castle).
Conclusions:
During the 1999 infield season, TBAS team members investigated 42 random squares in Zones 1, 2, and Busayra. In
addition, they surveyed a total of 151 sites. As a result, they have been successful in identifying numerous
concentrations of sites that are located in areas: 1) southwest of Busayra on the northeast facing slopes of Jabal al-Kula;
2) the main north-south road between Tafila and Busayra (the King’s Highway); 3) along the dirt road that leads from
the Transjordanian Plateau in the vicinity of Busayra to Wadi al-Dahal in the Northeast `Arabah; 4) the region of Jabal
al-Hala; and 5) along the shores of Wadi Juheira Lake. The most commonly represented periods include the Middle
Paleolithic, Epipaleolithic, Neolithic-Chalcolithic, Iron II, Roman, Byzantine, and all Islamic periods. Periods poorly
represented or not represented at all include the Early Bronze, Middle Bronze, Late Bronze, Persian, and Hellenistic.
TBAS team members continue to work on preliminary analysis of the data collected during its eight-week, infield
season. Work has already begun on a study of settlement patterns along with an analysis of the lithic and sherd
materials. Team members are preparing a preliminary report for publication in the 2000 issue, volume 44, of the
Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan. Shorter reports are planned for publication in the “Archaeology in
Jordan” segment of the American Journal of Archaeology, ACOR Newsletter, Liber Annuus, Revue Biblique, and Syria.
The sherds and lithics of the survey that are not being studied in Canada or the United States are stored in the
Department of Antiquities Offices in Tafila.
15
NOTES
(1) By his survey of the Tafila-Ghor Feifeh road alignment, Waheeb connected, via Wadi Umruq, the cultural remains
of the Transjordanian Plateau with that of the Southern Ghors (MacDonald et al. 1992, Fig. 3).
(2) Bienkowski, with financial assistance from the Leon Levy-Shelby White Foundation, is presently working on a
final report of Bennett’s excavations at Busayra.
(3) Dr. David McCreery, Chair of CAP, visited the project at its infield quarters in Busayra on June 10, 1999.
(4) Bienkowski encouraged the survey team to carry out this “hinterlands” survey.
(5) The reader is reminded that this is year one of a three-year project. Two of these years are devoted to infield work
and the writing of preliminary reports of the findings. The third year is dedicated to the writing of a final report of
the project.
(6) A newly-built, asphalt road goes from the area just south of Tafila along Wadi Umruq to the region of Feifeh in
the Southern Ghors (Waheeb 1993). There are, thus, two roads that one can take from the Tafila-Busayra region
to the Southern Ghors and Northeast `Arabah. The TBAS members intend to investigate next season the
possibility of a pedestrian track that may go from the area of An-Namata on the plateau to Wadi Khanazeir in the
Southern Ghors.
(7) The original intention was to carry out a “hinterlands” survey of the Busayra Citadel that included territory within
a 5 km radius. However, Alan Walmsley (University of Western Australia, Perth), who is presently excavating
Gharandal (1997, 1988) immediately to the south of Busayra, wanted to carry out his own “hinterlands” survey of
his site. Thus, in a cooperative move, the TBAS team members, restricted their survey to a 3 km radius of
Busayra. In fact, the TBAS team’s work in Zone Busayra along with that in Zones 1 and 2 actually means that the
“hinterlands” survey of the Busayra Citadel is much more than the 3 km radius. The only exception to this is in
the area immediately south of Zone Busayra.
(8) Although the Jurf ad-Darawish castellum, TBAS Site 141, is on the shores of Wadi Juheira Lake, it is not counted
as one of these 26 sites.
(9) This area is outside the TBAS territory. However, because of Moumani’s interest in the site, the TBAS team
members sherded it and included it as TBAS Site 90.
16
REFERENCES
Bennett, C.-M.
1974
Excavations at Buseirah. Levant 5: 1-11.
1975
Excavations at Buseirah. Levant 7: 1-19.
1977
Excavations at Buseriah. Levant 9: 1-10.
1983
Excavations at Buseirah (Biblical Bozrah). Pp. 9-17 in Midian, Moab, and Edom: The History and
Archaeology of Late Bronze and Iron Age Jordan and North-West Arabia, eds. J. F. A. Sawyer and
D. J. A. Clines. (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Supplement Series 24). Sheffield:
JSOT.
Bienkowski, P.
1997
Buseirah. Pp. 387-90 in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East, 1, ed. E. M.
Meyers. New York: Oxford University.
Fiema, Z. T.
1993
Tuwaneh and the Via Nova Traiana in Southern Jordan: A Short Note on the 1992 Season. Annual
of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 27: 549-51.
1997
At-Tuwana – the Development and Decline of a Classical Town in Southern Jordan (with a Note on
the Site Preservation. Pp. 313-16 in Studies in the History and Archaeological of Jordan VI, eds.
G. Bisheh; M. Zaghloul; and I. Kehrberg. Amman: Department of Antiquities.
Glueck, N.
1934
Explorations in Eastern Palestine, I. Pp. 1-114 in The Annual of the American Schools of Oriental
Research 14 (for 1933-34). Philadelphia: American Schools of Oriental Research.
1935
Explorations in Eastern Palestine, II. The Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research
14 (for 1934-1935). New Haven: American Schools of Oriental Research.
1939
Explorations in Eastern Palestine, III. The Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research
18-19 (for 1937-1939). New Haven: American Schools of Oriental Research.
17
Hart, S.
1986
Nabataeans and Romans in Southern Jordan. Pp. 337-42 in P. Freeman and D. Kennedy (eds.), The
Defense of the Roman and Byzantine East. Proceedings of a Colloquium held at the University of
Sheffield, April 1986. Oxford: BAR International Series 297.
Hart, S., and Falkner, R. K.
1985
Preliminary Report on a Survey in Edom, 1984. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan
29: 255-77.
Kennedy, D.
1998a
Aerial Archaeology in Jordan. Levant 30: 91-96.
1998b
Gharandal Survey 1997: Air Photo Interpretation and Ground Verification. Annual of the
Department of Antiquities of Jordan 42: 573-85.
MacDonald, B. et al.
1988
The Wadi el Hasa Archaeological Survey 1979-1983, West-Central Jordan. Waterloo: Wilfrid
Laurier University.
1992
The Southern Ghors and Northeast `Arabah Archaeological Survey. Sheffield Archaeological
Monographs 5. Sheffield: Collis.
Moumani, K. A.
1996
Quaternary Sediments of the Jurf Ed Darawish Area, Central Jordan. Unpublished M.A.
dissertation. University of Wales, Cardiff.
1997
The Geology of Al Husayniyya Al Janubiyya (Jurf ed Darawish) Area: Map Sheet No. 3151-II.
Bulletin 38. Amman: Geology Directorate, Geological Mapping Division.
Parker, S. T.
1986
Romans and Saracens: A History of the Arabian Frontier. Dissertation Series/American Schools of
Oriental Research; no 6. Winona Lake, IN: American Schools of Oriental Research.
Saller, S. J., and Bagatti, B.
1949
The Town of Nebo (Khirbet el-Mekhayyat) with a brief survey of other Ancient Christian
Monuments in Transjordan. Publications of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, No. 7.
Jerusalem: Franciscan Press.
18
Waheeb, M.
1993
Archaeological Rescue Survey of the Tafileh-Ghor Feifeh Road Alignment, Sections I + II. Annual
of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 37: 135-46.
Walmsley, A.
1997
The Church at Arindela (Gharandal) of Palaestina Tertia. Liber Annuus 47: 498-500.
1998
Gharandal in Jibal: First Season Report. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 42:
433-41.
19
APPENDIX 1: TBAS POTTERY REGISTRATION AND READINGS (1999)
Site #
Sample #
# Registered
# of Sherds
Periods Represented
1
1
23
47
Byz; MIsl/LIsl
1
2
10
43
LRom-Byz; MIsl/LIsl
2
3
11
38
Iron II; Byz/EIsl; MIsl-LIsl
3
5
6
33
Rom; Byz; MIsl
4
6
10
27
Byz
4
7
5
33
ERom; LRom; Byz
5
9
9
69
Byz; MIsl/LIsl
6
10
13
117
Iron II; Byz; LIsl
7
11
16
107
Rom; Byz/EIsl; MIsl/LIsl; LIsl
8
12
32
96
LRom; Byz
9
13
10
54
Iron II; LRom; Byz; EIsl
9
14
8
95
Iron II; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
10
16
33
123
Few classical bods; MIsl/LIsl
10
17
21
68
Poss Iron Age; LRom-Byz; MIsl; LIsl
11
18
7
33
Byz; LIsl
12
20
12
49
Byz-EIsl
12
282
10
14
Iron II; Byz; prob LIsl
13
23
10
68
Iron II; LRom-Byz; EIsl; Mod
15
25
3
18
Prob Iron Age; EIsl;
15
270
5
22
EB (?); Iron II (?); Nab; Byz/EIsl; poss Ott/LIsl
18
36
5
26
19
38
2
18
Iron II; Rom; prob LIsl
19
41
2
22
Iron II; Rom-Byz; LIsl
ZB-16
46
10
134
Rom (Nab); LRom; Byz
ZB-18
45
4
76
Iron Age; LRom-Byz
ZB-20
49
7
39
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz/EIsl
Z2-P1
29
4
21
Rom-Byz
Z2-P2
34
2
19
Byz
Z2-P3
27
13
58
Rom; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
Z1-P6
38
3
40
Byz; LIsl
Z2-P9
275
8
145
LChal/EB; Iron Age; Byz
Z2-P10
44
28
116
Iron II; Rom; Byz; EIsl
21
48
3
26
Iron II; Byz/EIsl
23
50
4
14
Rom; Byz
24
52
13
168
Iron II; ERom (Nab); Byz; LIsl
25
53
1
15
Iron Age
26
54
4
75
Byz; MIsl; LIsl
27
56
16
74
Iron II; Rom; MIsl; LIsl
28
57
11
78
Iron II; ERom; Byz
29
59
2
16
Iron Age; prob LIsl
31
60
1
1
LIsl
32
61
4
13
LIsl
33
62
4
16
Byz/EIsl
20
34
63
3
3
Byz/EIsl; LIsl
ZB-P13
64
1
2
LRom; LOtt (?)
35
65
3
21
Iron II; MIsl
36
66
5
32
Iron II; Byz/EIsl
37
67
3
82
Iron II; Rom-Byz
37
69
5
57
Poss Iron I; Iron II
38
71
4
26
LIsl
39
72
25
142
Iron II; Hell-ERom; Byz; Ud
40
74
30
199
Prob LRom; Byz dom; MIsl; LIsl; Ud
42
80
3
19
Iron II; Rom; Byz
43
82
7
40
Iron II; Nab
44
87
23
117
Chal (?); Iron Age; Rom; Byz
46
93
6
23
ERom
ZB, P21
91
10
69
Iron II; ERom; Byz
ZB, P22
90
5
38
Iron II; Rom
ZB, P24
95
8
32
Iron Age; Byz
ZB, P26
76
5
36
Iron II; Rom; LIsl
ZB, P27
78
4
30
Iron Age; ERom dom (few Nab)
ZB, P30
85
13
73
Iron II dom; Byz
ZB, P31
83
10
47
Iron Age; ERom; Byz
47
97
42
158
Iron II; Byz
48
99
31
89
Byz
49
101
45
101
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz dom; LIsl
ZB, P1
102
2
43
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; prob LIsl
50
103
41
90
Iron II; ERom; Byz; LIsl
51
104
26
93
Iron Age; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
52
107
11
95
Iron I; poss Iron II; Byz;
54
109
0
7
Rom-Byz; poss LIsl
55
111
1
33
ERom (Nab)
56
114
5
52
poss Iron II; ERom (few Nab); Byz
57
116
3
43
ERom; Byz
Z1, P75
112
5
49
Per/Hell; Byz
Z1, P80
105
12
107
Iron Age; ERom; Byz; LIsl
58
122
0
10
Byz
59
125
3
43
poss Iron Age; Byz
61
128
7
30
Iron II; ERom (Nab)
62
130
7
28
Iron II; prob Byz
62
131
4
4
MIsl-LIsl
Z1, P64
123
7
34
Iron II; ERom; Rom; Byz; LIsl
Z1, P65
119
6
50
Iron II; ERom; Byz; LIsl
63
132
10
43
Iron Age; LRom; Byz
64
134
4
70
Iron II; LRom; Byz
65
136
10
43
Byz; LIsl
66
138
4
68
Rom; Byz; LIsl
67
140
7
22
Byz/EIsl dom; Nab; MIsl
68
142
10
48
Iron II; ERom (Nab); Byz
21
69
144
5
29
Byz
70
146
7
52
Iron Age; ERom (some Nab); LRom; Byz
71
149
36
136
ERom (all Nab); Byz; MIsl/LIsl
72
151
16
81
Late Iron I; Iron II; Byz; Ud
73
153
6
30
Iron Age; Rom; Byz
Z1, P56
147
20
104
Iron II; Rom; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
74
155
2
18
EIsl; LIsl
75
157
5
30
Byz; Ud Isl
76
159
3
43
LChal dom; Iron Age
76
161
1
13
Byz/EIsl; LIsl
77
164
0
2
Post-classical bods
78
165
0
27
Chal/EB; prob Iron Age
79
167
2
22
Iron Age; Rom; LIsl
80
170
1
4
Byz; MIsl-LIsl
ZB, P5
171
11
65
LRom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
ZB, P6
175
9
97
Iron I/Iron II; Iron II; LPer-Hell; Byz/EIsl
ZB, P7
172
3
21
ERom; LRom; Byz; LIsl
ZB, P8
173
6
68
Iron II; Rom
ZB, P32
177
10
89
Iron Age; LRom; Byz; Mod
ZB, P33
178
6
57
Iron Age; Rom; Byz dom; EIsl; MIsl/LIsl; Mod;
Ud
ZB, P2
179
6
90
Rom (Nab); Byz; MIsl-LIsl; Mod
ZB, P3
180
6
37
Byz; LIsl
ZB, P4
181
16
134
Iron II; LRom; Byz
ZB, P12
186
9
52
Iron II; Rom; LRom; Ud
ZB, P15
184
13
100
Iron II; LRom; Byz; EIsl
ZB, P17
187
15
143
ERom; LRom; Byz; LIsl; Ud
ZB, P19
182
10
95
Iron II; Rom; Byz
ZB, P23
190
15
222
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz
ZB, P25
191
18
91
Iron Age; Rom; Byz
ZB, P28
192
28
126
Iron II; LRom; Byz
ZB, P29
194
16
142
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz
81
195
3
17
Byz; LIsl; Mod
82
196
15
96
LRom; Byz; Hell; LIsl; Mod
83
197
3
31
Rom (Nab); Byz
84
199
2
13
Iron Age; Nab; Mod
85
201
1
26
Iron Age; Iron II; Rom; Byz
86
203
21
101
Rom; Byz dom; LIsl
87
205
22
109
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; prob EIsl; LIsl
88
207
2
21
Pre-classical bods; LRom
89
209
5
41
Poss Iron Age; Rom-Byz
90
211
9
27
EB; poss Iron Age; LRom/Byz
90
213
3
4
Ott (from one vessel)
101
225
0
4
NL-Chal
103
228
2
32
Byz (all sherds appear to be from 1 vessel)
104
230
0
10
Pre-classical bods; Rom-Byz
22
105
232
8
17
Byz (all sherds from the same vessel)
106
233
6
31
NL-Chal
106
235
0
2
Prob LIsl
107
237
5
34
NL-Chal; Byz
107
241
0
4
EB bods
108
240
3
16
Poss EB; Rom; Byz; poss LIsl
109
243
3
32
NL-Chal; Byz
109
245
0
4
110
247
0
5
NL-Chal or LIsl
111
249
4
14
Late LIsl
116
257
44
86
Early Iron I (all close to LB, if not LB); Iron II;
117
258
11
40
Iron II; Byz
117
259
8
20
Iron Age; Byz; EIsl
118
260
9
26
Iron I; Iron II; Rom-Byz; LIsl
119
261
15
68
Iron II; Rom; Rom/Byz; Byz; prob LIsl
120
262
1
33
Rom; Byz dom
121
263
1
11
Iron Age; Rom-Byz
122
264
1
4
Rom-Byz
123
265
20
70
Iron II; Rom (Nab ?)
124
266
15
63
Rom-Byz; poss EIsl; MIsl-LIsl
125
267
15
50
Iron II; Byz
126
268
26
62
Early Iron II; Byz/EIsl
127
269
2
12
Poss Iron Age; Byz; poss LIsl
128
271
7
46
Prob Iron Age; Rom; Byz; LIsl; Ud
129
272
3
13
Iron Age; EIsl; LIsl
130
273
9
55
Iron II; Byz; prob LIsl
131
274
12
76
Iron II; Rom
132
277
3
11
Early Iron II; prob Rom; Byz roof tile
132
278
31
141
Iron II; Rom; EIsl; Mod
132
281
9
34
Iron II; Nab; Byz; LIsl
134
279
29
98
Iron II; Iron Age; Rom (Nab)
135
280
43
140
Prob EB; Iron II; Rom-Byz; Iron Age
136
283
25
51
Iron II; Byz; MIsl/LIsl; LIsl; Mod
137
284
30
72
Iron II; Rom (Nab); Byz; Ud
138
285
13
80
Byz; LIsl
Z2, P7
288
13
70
Prob Iron Age; Rom (Nab); Byz; LIsl
Z2, P11
286
2
26
Rom-Byz
139
290
0
61
NL-Chal
140
292
12
41
Iron II; ERom; LRom
141
294
6
31
Hell-Rom
142
296
42
90
Iron II; Rom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
142
297
10
45
Chal-EB; EB; Iron I; Iron Age; ERom (Nab); Byz
143
298
12
50
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
144
300
10
52
Iron II; Byz
145
301
8
36
Iron II
prob Hell; Rom/Byz; Ud
23
146
302
27
72
Prob Late Iron I; Iron II; Byz
147
303
27
54
Poss Iron Age; Byz
148
304
1
5
Rom-Byz
149
306
3
17
Byz/EIsl
150
307
13
57
Byz; MIsl
151
308
14
74
Iron II; Rom; Byz dom; EIsl; LIsl; Ud
151
309
2
26
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
24
APPENDIX 2: TBAS MATERIAL CULTURE REGISTRATION LIST (1999)
Site #
Sample #
Description
Registration #
10
16
Mortar Fragment – Granite
1
10
16
Pestle Fragment – Chert
2
9
15
Glass
3
19
19
Tesserae
4
2
4
Glass
5
40
74
Figurine Fragment
6
40
74
Spindle Whorl
7
39
72
Basalt Grinder
8
44
87
Rubbing/Grinding stone
9
48
99
Glass
10
49
101
Basalt Bowl Fragment
11
51
104
Basalt Grinder
12
Z1, P80
105
Jar Stopper
13
Z1, P80
105
Basalt Fragment
14
Z1, P64
124
Basalt Grinder Fragment
15
62
130
Broken Grinder
16
75
157
Bead (?)
17
86
203
Bracelet Fragment
18
86
203
Brick
19
111
249
Glass Fragments
20
111
249
Glass Fragment
21
111
249
Iron Railway Spike
22
109
245
Basalt Jar Stopper (?)
23
137
284
Brick – Ceramic
24
Z2, P7
289
Bead
25
138
285
Glass
26
147
303
Glass (2 pieces)
27
147
303
Shell (?)
28
25
APPENDIX 3: IMPORTANT ARCHITECTUAL SITES OF THE TBAS (1999)
Site No.
Site Name
Coordinates (N/E)
Periods Represented
1
Kh. al-Harith
7503678/340402
LRom-Byz; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
2
Kh. Qasr ad-Dayr
747700/3410700
Iron II; Byz-EIsl; MIsl-LIsl
4
Kh. al-Fraydays
750478/3406442
ERom; LRom; Byz
6
Kh. al-Hananeh
748051/3409674
Iron II; Byz; LIsl
9
Kh. `Alaqeh
751134/3409513
Iron II; LRom; Byz; EIsl; LIsl
10
Kh. al-Janin
751300/3404082
Poss Iron Age; LRom-Byz; MIsl; LIsl
13
Kh. `Arafah
746700/3414000
Iron II dom; LRom-Byz; Mod
15
Kh. ad-Dayr
746400/3416400
Prob Iron Age; EIsl
19
Kh. al-Qur (?)
744496/3413824
Iron II; Rom; Rom-Byz; LIsl
24
Kh. al-Qarqur
747537/3404792
Iron II; ERom (Nab); Byz; LIsl
26
Qasr al-Qarqur
747911/3404187
Byz; MIsl; LIsl
27
Ad-Dabbeh
747237/3404593
Iron II; Rom; MIsl; LIsl
32
Ma`tan
748450/3406800
LIsl
36
Ramsis I
746489/3406203
Iron II; Rom; Byz; Byz/EIsl; poss LIsl
37
Ramsis II
746311/3408850
Poss Iron I; Iron II; Rom-Byz
43
Kh. al-Brij
748372/3402478
Iron II; Nab
44
Kh. al-Mabrak
747688/3402760
Chal; Iron Age; Rom; Byz
47
-
747356/3403570
Iron II; Byz
48
`Ayn al-Qrayan
748099/3401567
Byz
49
Kh. al-Fatat
748540/3401317
Iron II; ERom; LRom; Byz; LIsl
50
Kh. Umm Za`urureh
749937/3401384
Iron II; ERom; Byz; LIsl
51
Kh. az-Zanatnyeh
750302/3401388
Iron Age; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
59
-
743170/3405944
Poss Iron Age; Byz
61
Rujm al-Musaykahen
743800/3405264
Iron II; ERom (Nab)
62
Qasr Karayim bin `Ali
745318/3403314
Iron II; prob Byz
65
-
-
741194/3407803
Byz; LIsl
71
Kh. al-Kula
746870/3403304
Hell-ERom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
72
Kh. al-Qa`ayr
746247/3401661
Late Iron I; Iron II; Byz; Ud
81-83
Kh. al-`Aiys
752542/3414080
Hell; Rom (Nab); LRom; Byz; LIsl; Mod
86
Kh. Tila`aeh Husayn
755201/3413123
Rom; Byz dom; LIsl
87
Kh. Hid
750614/3415205
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; prob EIsl; LIsl
116
Kh. Hassan al-Husayn
751173/3412378
Early Iron I (all close to LB, if not LB);
-
-
Iron II; prob Hell; Rom/Byz;
117
Kh. Zubr
751004/3408733
Iron II; Iron Age; Byz; EIsl
123
Ruju Ras al-Hala
752959/3407269
Iron II; Rom (Nab ?)
126
Kh. Naqad
753714/3407956
Early Iron II; Byz/EIsl
130
Kh. Umm Sa`yir/Kh. as-Slaybayat 744107/3418182
Iron II; Byz; prob LIsl
132
Tall Busayra
749628/3403378
Early Iron II; Iron II; Rom; Nab; Byz;
134
Sela
746591/3408296
Iron II; Iron Age; Rom (Nab)
135
Busayra Citadel
749600/3404000
Prob EB; Iron II; Iron Age; Rom-Byz
137
Kh. Malafays
754110/3406702
Iron II; Rom (Nab); Byz; Ud
138
Kh. ad-Dabba’
747986/3415200
Byz; LIsl
Byz roof tile; EIsl; LIsl; Mod
26
140
Qasr al-Bint
774900/3397989
Iron II; ERom; LRom
141
Jurf ad-Darawish Castellum
774567/3398575
Hell-Rom
142
Kh. Harir
755759/3407937
Chal-EB; EB; Iron I; Iron II; Iron Age; ERom;
Rom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
143
Kh. Umm al-Harmal
756204/3407669
Iron Age; Rom; Byz; MIsl/LIsl
147
Kh. as-Sahbaniyeh
755907/3406831
Poss Iron Age; Byz
151
Qal`at at-Tafila
748918/3414717
Iron II; Iron Age; Rom; Byz dom; EIsl; LIsl;
Ud
List of Figures:
Figure 1: The TBAS Territory.
Figure 2: GIS randomly chosen squares.
Figure 3: Busayra Zone.
List of Appendices:
Appendix 1: TBAS Pottery Registration and Readings (1999).
Appendix 2: TBAS Material Culture Registration List (1999).
Appendix 3: Important Architectural Sites of the TBAS (1999).
Burton MacDonald, Ph.D
Director, Tafila-Busayra Archaeological Survey
P. O. Box 5000
St. Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
B2G 2W5 Canada
Telephone: 902-867-2155 (Office)
FAX No: 902-867-2448
e-mail:
bmacdona@stfx.ca
St. F. X. Website: http://www.stfx.ca/
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