Wadi Al-Qattafi South Mesa Chain Kites (Southern Basalt Mesas Qattafi)
South Qattafi Mesas · Southern Qattafi Wadis South Arm
PPNB Late to Late Neolithic (7200–5000 BCE)·Qattafi basin pastoral trappers (Wadi al-Qattafi group)·🇯🇴 Mafraq Governorate, Eastern Badia, Wadi Al-Qattafi South Arm — southern mesa chain (S. Qattafi wadis), Jordan
About
About Wadi Al-Qattafi South Mesa Chain Kites (Southern Basalt Mesas Qattafi)
Southern arm chain of Wadi al-Qattafi drainage (695 m) — southernmost of three subparallel wadis merging 5 km north of Qa' al-Qattafi playa (10 km²) 60 km ESE of North Azraq. Basalt-capped mesas 40–60 m above wadi bed host 10 kites on mesa rims: walls 320–780 m converging to kite pens nestled in mesa lee slots 18–26 m with 3–4 pit traps, walls strategically crossing mesa saddles to funnel gazelle migrating along wadi thalweg. Walls incorporate natural basalt cap escarpment as part of barrier (40% natural cliff).
One kite QAS-04 incorporates a 12-m burial cairn (Safi phase) built into pen wall — stratigraphic proof kite predates cairn (cairn cuts wall). Petroglyphs on mesa tables show ibex and archers driving herds. OSL on wall capping silt 8100±500 BP; cairn C14 4800 BCE gives terminus ante quem. Qa' playa water 5 km south supports prehistoric camps.
Why it mattersOnly mesa-lee kites using 40% natural cliff as barrier + cairn-wall stratigraphy proving kite pre-4800 BCE — chronology anchor.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Natural cliff 40% intentional vs opportunistic use
Theories
- 01Wadi thalweg migration corridor specialization vs plateau random intercept
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.7200 – 5000 BCE (PPNB to Late Neolithic, OSL 8100 BP; cairn 4800 BCE TAQ)
- Period
- PPNB Late to Late Neolithic (7200–5000 BCE)
- Culture
- Qattafi basin pastoral trappers (Wadi al-Qattafi group)
- Builders
- South arm mesa chain trappers
- Purpose
- Wadi thalweg gazelle migration funnel using natural mesa escarpment as 40% barrier — cairn-stratified kite chronology
- Abandoned
- c.4500 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2017 Hill Rowan south arm survey; 2020 cairn stratigraphy QAS-04
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
2017
South mesa chain 10 kites mapped
2020
Cairn cuts wall — 4800 BCE terminus
2020
OSL 8100±500 BP wall silt
On the ground
Structures & features
32.1500° N · 37.2500° E · 695 m · 3 mapped features
Mesa-Lee Pen QAS-04 with Cairn
desert kite18–26 m lee-slot pen 40% cliff barrier, 12 m cairn cutting wall stratigraphy
32.1510° N · 37.2510° ESaddle-Crossing Wall QAS-07
earthwork780 m wall crossing mesa saddle, 0.45 m high on cap edge
32.1480° N · 37.2480° EMesa Archers Petroglyph Panel
rock artIbex and archers driving herd toward pen, mesa table pecked
32.1530° N · 37.2530° E