Lehun
Khirbat al-Lehun · Lehun (Moab)
Iron to Nabataean (c.900 BCE–200 CE; peak Moab 900–600, Nabataean 100 BCE–100 CE)·Moabite → Nabataean → Roman·🇯🇴 Karak Governorate, Moab Plateau, Jordan
About
About Lehun
Lehun (Khirbat al-Lehun) is a Moabite hilltop fortress-citadel (1 ha) with casemate wall, extramural Iron II town (3 ha) and Nabataean temple platform on the Kerak–Dibon Moab plateau, guarding King's Highway and Mujib gorge. Homès-Fredericq excavations revealed Iron Moabite ceramics (Dibon ware), Nabataean betyl temple with horned altar, and Roman reoccupation. Mesa steward?
Why it mattersMoab fortress with Nabataean betyl continuity; King's Highway guard.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Moab–Nabataean transition at Lehun?
Theories
- 01Moabite frontier kinship
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.900 BCE
- Period
- Iron to Nabataean (c.900 BCE–200 CE; peak Moab 900–600, Nabataean 100 BCE–100 CE)
- Culture
- Moabite → Nabataean → Roman
- Builders
- Moab kings (possibly Mesha line)
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.200 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1978 (Homès-Fredericq)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.900 BCE
Moabite Lehun citadel with casemate
c.200 BCE
Nabataean betyl temple builds over Moabite gate
1978
Denise Homès-Fredericq excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
31.2300° N · 35.8500° E · 900 m · 3 mapped features
Casemate Citadel and Iron Town Gate
fortificationMoabite casemate wall (1 ha) with Iron II gateway
31.2303° N · 35.8502° ENabataean Betyl Temple Platform
templeNabataean betyl-shrine with horned altar, rebuilt over Moabite gate
31.2296° N · 35.8503° EOuter Town and Mujib Gorge Lookout
settlementExtramural Iron–Nabataean houses and watchpoint over Mujib
31.2293° N · 35.8506° E