Cairn Khirbet Mound Complex
Cairn Khirbet
Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE)·Early Bronze Age·🇯🇴 Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
About
About Cairn Khirbet Mound Complex
Cairn Khirbet Mound Complex in Ma'an Governorate, Jordan is a Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE) earthwork attributed to Early Bronze Age culture. Systematically investigated through systematic survey and fieldwalking, it presents a principal enclosure with workshop zone. Construction employs mudbrick on stone socle and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Early Bronze Age earthwork with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cause of abandonment and collapse
- 02Function as ceremonial vs domestic centre
Theories
- 01Trading entrepôt and regional hub
- 02Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
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. 2672 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE)
- Culture
- Early Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Necropolis and ritual
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2672 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 1872 BCE
Major expansion and monumental elaboration
c. 785 BCE
Rebuilding and fortification phase
1977
Modern archaeological excavation and survey
On the ground
Structures & features
30.7547° N · 34.8662° E · 147 m · 4 mapped features
- GatewaystructureAncillary field system associated with main monument30.7527° N · 34.8632° E
- Ancillary ComplexpetroglyphPrimary earthwork at Cairn Khirbet Mound Complex — ceremonial avenue30.7539° N · 34.8667° E
- Rock Art PanelreservoirHydraulic feature — well30.7544° N · 34.8659° E
- Ancillary Complex 4hydraulicBurial zone — rock-cut chambers30.7556° N · 34.8642° E