Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan
Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan Tell
Chalcolithic to Byzantine (4500 BCE+)·Chalcolithic·🇯🇴 Aqaba Governorate, Wadi Araba, Jordan
About
About Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan
Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan in Aqaba Governorate, Wadi Araba, Jordan is a Chalcolithic to Byzantine (4500 BCE+) hydraulic attributed to Chalcolithic culture. German and Syrian excavations document stratified sequence with ceramic seriation and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and ancillary settlement.
Why it mattersKey Chalcolithic site illustrating Chalcolithic to Byzantine (4500 BCE+) hydraulic traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban planning of Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan
- 02Chronology of lower town
Theories
- 01Administrative centre for Chalcolithic
- 02Trade hub on Euphrates/Khabur
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. 4500 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Byzantine (4500 BCE+)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Copper mining oasis with Early Bronze mining
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4500 BCE
Initial settlement
c. 2000 BCE
Major expansion and fortification
On the ground
Structures & features
30.6222° N · 35.6222° E · 431 m · 3 mapped features
Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan — Main Mound
moundMain tell mound Wadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan 15 m high with stratified phases
30.6230° N · 35.6230° EWadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan — Lower Town
settlementLower town settlement 10 ha with houses and kilns
30.6213° N · 35.6217° EWadi Faynan — Khirbat Faynan — Gate Area
gateFortified gate with mudbrick walls and bastions
30.6233° N · 35.6215° E