Iron Age Nebo: Preliminary investigations at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat and Rujm al-Mukhayyat, Jordan

ABSTRACT

Recent archaeological investigation at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat and nearby Rujm al-Mukhayyat in west-central Jordan have sought to determine the nature and date of Iron Age activity at these sites. Identified as the Nebo of biblical tradition and the Mesha Inscription, Khirbat al-Mukhayyat fulfilled a strategic role within the region. Positioned at the western edge of the Transjordanian plateau, the site holds a commanding view of the Jordan Valley and Judean highlands to the west, enabling inhabitants to monitor access to and from the Jordan Valley, as well to take advantage of agricultural opportunity within the region. This strategic position is reflected in Mukhayyat’s contested history under Israelite, Moabite, and eventually Assyrian control. With significant contexts dating to the Iron IIB and Iron IIC at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat, and late Iron Age/Persian period activity at the Rujm al-Mukhayyat, this paper presents the preliminary results of excavation and survey efforts together with ceramic data, providing an important contribution to the study of the Iron Age in this region.

KEYWORDS:

• Mukhayyat
• Nebo
• Moab
• Mesha Inscription
• Iron Age
• pottery
• Jordan
• archaeology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the dedicated staff and students of the Khirbat al-Mukhayyat Archaeological Project, particularly Gregory Braun (University of Toronto), Vĕra Doležálková (Charles University, Prague), Grant Ginson, Ashley Paling (University College London), and Célynne Mathieu. Thanks also to Annlee Dolan (San Joaquin Delta College) who served as co-director in 2016, and Steven Edwards (University of Toronto) who served as field supervisor and surveyor in 2014 and 2016. Our thanks also to Bruce Routledge (University of Liverpool) for his comments regarding the ceramic assemblage, and Gregory Braun and Mansour Al Kaabneh (Department of Antiquities of Jordan) for their assistance with the survey of the Rujm al-Mukhayyat. Phase plans were produced by Grant Ginson, with aid from Steven Edwards. Vĕra Doležálková, Ashley Paling, and Célynne Mathieu aided with in-field analysis of the ceramics and Christine Sylvester and Lara Curasev (Wilfrid Laurier University) prepared the ceramic drawings. The authors would also like to thank the American Center of Oriental Research for their support. Excavation seasons were made possible in part through funding from the Office of the Dean of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University and were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan. These results were made possible through the dedicated help of the Director General of the Department of Antiquities Mr. Yazed Elayan, the former Director General Dr Monther Jamhawi, and the former Director of the Madaba Archaeological Directorate Mr. Basem Mahamid. Thanks also to the representatives of the Department of Antiquities Nisreen Fgaha, Ammel Khaled Rawahneh, and Kholood Agrabawi. This work was supported by an Alan D. Leve Graduate Research & Travel Grant (UCLA), an International Institute Fieldwork Fellowship (UCLA), a Harry and Yvonne Lenart Graduate Travel Fellowship (UCLA), and a Strange and Midkiff Families Excavation Fellowship (ASOR).

Notes

1 During the Byzantine period the name ‘Nebo’ appears to have shifted to the nearby site of Siyagha which maintains the name of ‘Mount Nebo’ in the present (Foran et al. 2015, 455).

2 While appearing as Rujm al-Mukhayyat in published contexts, locally the site is known as Rujm Faḍīl (رجم فضيل ). Within the survey numbering system of the Town of Nebo Archaeological Project, Rujm al-Mukhayyat is recorded as site TN6.

3 The Byzantine period Church of St. George at the northern edge of Field A at Mukhayyat’s highest point (Figure 2), limit the opportunity for excavation in this central area at Mukhayyat.

4 In his survey of Khirbet al-Mukhayyat, Nelson Glueck records the presence of the Rujm al-Mukhayyat on the hill to the east, but notes that he did not visit it (Glueck 1935, 111). It is likely this lack of direct access between the two that limited his ability to efficiently visit the site.

5 For a discussion on Nebo within the biblical tradition see Cortese and Niccacci (1998).

6 Compare also with the relation between Khirbat ‘Ataruz and the Rujm ‘Ataruz (Ji 2016).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew Danielson

Andrew Danielson is a doctoral candidate in the Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a Field Director with the Town of Nebo Archaeological Project in the excavations at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat, Jordan.

Debra Foran

Debra Foran is an Assistant Professor in the Archaeology and Heritage Studies Department at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is the Director of the Town of Nebo Archaeological Project in the excavations at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat, Jordan.