Ataruz
Khirbat Ataruz · Ataroth · Ataroth (Moab)
Iron Age (c.1200–700 BCE; Moabite 900–700, destruction c.700)·Moabite → Israelite (Gad?) → Assyrian destruction·🇯🇴 Madaba Governorate, Wadi Wala, Jordan
About
About Ataruz
Khirbat Ataruz is likely biblical Ataroth (Numbers 32, Mesha Stele) — massive moat, double wall and Iron complex: gate, cultic building with horned altar, bull figurines and High Place. Chang-ho Ji (La Sierra) excavations reveal LB–Iron Moabite temple destroyed by Assyrian siege (Sennacherib?), 7000+ cultic vessels and favissa altars. Largest Moab cultic destruction.
Why it mattersBiblical Ataroth; Moabite cultic moat-gate-temple destruction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mesha's Ataroth or Israelite Gad?
- 02Destruction — Sennacherib 701?
Theories
- 01Moabite cultic centralization (Ji)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1200 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age (c.1200–700 BCE; Moabite 900–700, destruction c.700)
- Culture
- Moabite → Israelite (Gad?) → Assyrian destruction
- Builders
- Moabites of Mesha; Gad?
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.700 BCE (Sennacherib?)
- Rediscovered
- 2000 (Chang-ho Ji)
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.900 BCE
Moabite Ataruz gate-temple built
c.700 BCE
Assyrian siege destruction — temple burnt with favissa
2000–
Ji excavations reveal horned altar
On the ground
Structures & features
31.6400° N · 35.6600° E · 850 m · 3 mapped features
- Moat and Double City Wall Gatefortification5-m rock-cut moat, double casemate wall and gate complex with stepped entry31.6403° N · 35.6602° E
- Cultic Building with Horned Altar and FavissatempleMoabite temple with horned altar, bull figurine and 7000-vessel favissa — destruction c.700 BCE31.6396° N · 35.6603° E
- Iron Residential Quarter and StoragesettlementMoabite courtyard houses and silos, southern slope31.6406° N · 35.6595° E
Gallery