Hellenistic to Roman Period

On Tall Zirā'a in northwest Jordan, excavations were carried out by the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology of the Holy Land and the Biblical Archaeological Institute Wuppertal between 2003 and 2011 and in 2014. Three areas were opened and archaeological remains dating back more than 5000 years were uncovered. To this day, Tall Zirā'a is a prominent location in the Wādī al-'Arab. It is highly visible, naturally protected by steep slopes, has sufficient space for a large settlement on its plateau, and is surrounded by abundant arable and pasture land. In addition, the tall had an artesian spring and was located on a nearby ancient trade route. This volume contains the description and evaluation of the architectural remains and finds from the Hellenistic to the Roman period on Tall Zirā'a. As evidenced by finds, resettlement dates to the first half of the third century BC. Architectural remains show a fortified settlement in the second century BC. Between the end of the first century BC and the first half of the first century AD an extensive and unfortified farmstead was built. The present research not only forms an important component for the settlement history of Tall Zirā'a, but also contributes to the understanding of settlement history in northern Jordan and the southern Levant in general, and of rural areas in particular.