Hesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus)
Hesban · Esbus · Heshbon
Iron Age – Byzantine (1200 BCE–600 CE)·Moabite–Ammonite–Roman·🇯🇴 Balqa Governorate, Madaba Plains, Jordan
About
About Hesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus)
Hesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus) in Balqa Governorate, Madaba Plains, Jordan is a Iron Age – Byzantine (1200 BCE–600 CE) tell of Moabite–Ammonite–Roman tradition. Madaba Plains biblical Heshbon, Andrews University long-term project. 1200 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst tell 8 ha, iron age citadel 80×60 m, byzantine church. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose limestone ashlar with iron age casemate, roman-byzantine church mosaic architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Moabite–Ammonite–Roman networks across the Balqa Governorate. Threats include urban expansion, agriculture, looting; research continues on Moabite–Ammonite–Roman chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Moabite–Ammonite–Roman Iron Age – Byzantine (1200 BCE–600 CE) in Balqa Governorate, Madaba Plains; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Moabite–Ammonite–Roman levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
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.1200 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age – Byzantine (1200 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- Moabite–Ammonite–Roman
- Purpose
- Madaba Plains biblical Heshbon, Andrews University long-term project
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1200 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
31.8000° N · 35.8000° E · 980 m · 3 mapped features
Hesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus) — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
31.8004° N · 35.8005° EHesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus) — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
31.7994° N · 35.7994° EHesban (Tell Hesban / Esbus) — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
31.8002° N · 35.7992° E