Archaeological Views: Tall Jalul: A Look from Behind the Jordan

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The largest ancient site in the central Jordanian plateau, Tall Jalul commands the highest point in the Madaba region in modern-day Jordan. Covering more than 18 acres, the tell seems to have been continuously occupied from the Early Bronze Age through the Persian (perhaps even Hellenistic) period, after which the occupation spilled over to the plain below and south of the tell.

The settlement was well established already in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium B.C.E.), but its peak came during the Iron Age (1200–500 B.C.E.). It is for this period that Andrews University’s ongoing excavations of Jalul—together with the contemporaneous sites of Hisban^a and ‘Umayri^b—have greatly enhanced our understanding of the area, dominated by the kingdoms of the Ammonites and Moabites and settled by the Israelite Gadites and Reubenites.¹

Historical data acquired through 17 archaeological seasons are especially relevant for questions about the inhabitants’ identity, identification of the site with settlements named in the Bible, or sustenance strategies and local water management.

Ceramic remains indicate that by the Iron Age IA (1175–1100 B.C.E.), the site was occupied by the Israelite tribe of Reuben, which conquered the previously Amorite territory. Although the ancient name of the place remains unknown, some suggest identifying it with Biblical Heshbon—due to the presence of a sophisticated and extensive water system. However, a case can be made for Bezer, the Levitical city of refuge in Reubenite territory referred to in Joshua 20:1–9 and later referenced by Moabite King Mesha in 840 B.C.E.² According to King Mesha, the Gadites had already taken over the plains north of Atarot. They may have settled Jalul prior to the time of Mesha, as the Reubenite transition to the northeast most likely took place later, during the reign of King Saul (1 Chronicles 5:10), in the Iron Age IB (1100–980 B.C.E.).

Finds of Moabite pottery corroborate that the Moabites had control of the territory in the middle of the Iron Age II (900–700 B.C.E.). However, the territory was resettled by the Ammonites during the seventh century, as evidenced by Ammonite ceramic forms and inscriptions. This was a high point in Ammonite political and cultural development, with the region experiencing settlement expansion into the Persian period.

While the identity of the inhabitants of Jalul is not definitive, the recovered remains have revealed some interesting facts about their ancient way of life. Inhabitants during the Iron Age and Persian period were agro-pastoralists who engaged in crafts, such as spinning and weaving, and in trade, as evidenced by the bones of imported fish and sherds of imported ceramics. Architectural remains, such as the domestic structures in Field C and a tripartite building in Field A, suggest a society based on kinship relations with some level of social organization. A well-developed roadway has been uncovered leading into and through one of the gate complexes (Field B). East of the acropolis, a central basin and a smaller depression were parts of a vast water system.

Fragments of ceramic cultic shrines attest to a 060well-developed cultic presence. The site has yielded numerous fragmentary specimens of ceramic figurines representing female and male humans, horses with riders, and lions. Whether the lion figurines are a part of religious iconography as attribute animals of deities or apotropaic forces, or represent kingly power, they are a part of a larger leonine presence in the ancient Near East, where the lion figures as a powerful agent.

The answers to many of our questions regarding the identity of Jalul’s inhabitants and the sophistication of their social organization remain buried beneath the acropolis in the southwestern corner of the site, which has not been excavated, because it is still used as the local cemetery. In an effort to shed light on the role Jalul played in the Madaba region, recent excavations have focused on the roadway and water system instead.

In the latest, 2017 season, we continued excavations in two areas: the Gate Area and the central basin. Opened during the first season at Tall Jalul, in 1992, the Gate Area has so far revealed two superimposed flagstone pavements and associated repavings dating from the Iron Age II, as well as a revetment wall.

The water reservoir was first explored in 2010. According to the dig Co-director Paul Gregor, this Iron Age II open-air reservoir, constructed and plastered during the 10th century B.C.E., is the largest of its kind in the Middle East.³ Preliminary estimates suggest measurements of approximately 82 feet wide, 115 feet long, and about 20 feet deep, with a capacity of up to 210,000 cubic feet of water. The associated water channel that ran along the eastern edge of the reservoir to exit the city at its southeastern corner was built to prevent flooding in the city.

Serving possibly as a partition, an unusual stone structure was discovered sitting directly upon the plastered floor in the southern part of the reservoir (see photo, p. 58). This structure is stepped on its southern face, much like a ramp or dam. The northern face is created by a second stone wall. Interestingly, stones in the lower half are arranged in a herringbone configuration, while the stones in the upper half seem to have no particular design. Tightly packed dirt and stones fill in the area between the two walls, creating a massive structure. Paul Gregor has suggested that it may have been constructed in the late seventh century B.C.E. to corridor off the southern side of the reservoir, which appears to have been damaged, allowing leakage in antiquity. The channel and reservoir then fell into disuse. Subsequent water retention efforts were limited to a small closed cistern north of the reservoir. To date, approximately 50 percent of the reservoir has been excavated.

Future excavations will attempt to uncover the rest of the reservoir and definitively answer questions about the identity of Jalul’s ancient residents. What happened to the Amorites, who lived here before the Israelites? What happened to the Reubenites/Gadites who likely settled this region? What was the function of Jalul during the Persian period? Who governed this ancient city?

Part of the allure of excavation is that answers arising from beneath the spade spawn more questions.

The largest ancient site in the central Jordanian plateau, Tall Jalul commands the highest point in the Madaba region in modern-day Jordan. Covering more than 18 acres, the tell seems to have been continuously occupied from the Early Bronze Age through the Persian (perhaps even Hellenistic) period, after which the occupation spilled over to the plain below and south of the tell. The settlement was well established already in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium B.C.E.), but its peak came during the Iron Age (1200–500 B.C.E.). It is for this period that Andrews University’s ongoing excavations of Jalul—together with […]