Jabal Wisad North Basalt Kites (Northern Jabal Wisad Ridge)
Wisad North Ridge Kites · Jabal Wisad North Kite Cluster
PPNB to Late Neolithic·Eastern Badia Neolithic·🇯🇴 Mafraq Governorate, Black Desert, Jabal Wisad North Ridge, Jordan
About
About Jabal Wisad North Basalt Kites (Northern Jabal Wisad Ridge)
Northern ridge kite cluster 4 km north of Wisad Pools (780 m) atop basalt-capped hill 45 m above surrounding hamada. Holds 5 kites arrayed radial from hill summit, each with corral-style pen 18–30 m diam and guiding walls 80–260 m following basalt ridge spurs. Unlike south chain linear arrangement, north cluster exploits radial drainage off insular hill for 360° intercept. Kite JK-WN02 features unique double-star pen (two abutting stars). Dated 8300–6500 BCE via lithics and charcoal. Intervisible with Wisad Pools shrine 4 km south.
Why it mattersOnly documented radial (vs linear) kite hilltop arrangement in Black Desert.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why radial vs linear—same builders different strategy
Theories
- 01360° migration hill intercept
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.8300 – 6500 BCE
- Period
- PPNB to Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Eastern Badia Neolithic
- Builders
- Black Desert forager-pastoralists
- Purpose
- Radial hilltop gazelle interception using hill-directed funnels
- Abandoned
- c.6200 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2016 EBAP systematic map; 2017 Rowan drone mapping
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
8300 BCE
Initial ridge kite construction
2017
Rowan drone maps radial cluster
On the ground
Structures & features
32.4650° N · 37.4200° E · 780 m · 2 mapped features
Double-Star Pen JK-WN02
desert kiteDouble-star 30-m pen with 5 pits
32.4670° N · 37.4180° ENorth Ridge Guiding Spur Wall
wall260-m wall following NE basalt spur
32.4630° N · 37.4220° E