Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench
Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench North Annex · Qumran Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇵🇸 Jericho, Palestine
About
About Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench
Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench in Jericho, Palestine is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 31.7410N 35.4610E controls access to Jericho resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Jericho, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1968 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench main structure
c. 1948
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1963–2008
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
31.7410° N · 35.4610° E · 416 m · 4 mapped features
Qumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
31.7418° N · 35.4619° EQumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
31.7400° N · 35.4603° EQumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
31.7425° N · 35.4622° EQumran Cave 4 Scriptorium Bench — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
31.7394° N · 35.4599° E