Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15
Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 North Annex · Wadi Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇯🇴 Tafilah, Faynan, Jordan
About
About Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15
Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 in Tafilah, Faynan, Jordan is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 30.6500N 35.4320E controls access to Tafilah resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Tafilah, Faynan, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1986 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 main structure
c. 1926
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1986–2016
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
30.6500° N · 35.4320° E · 262 m · 4 mapped features
Wadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
30.6508° N · 35.4329° EWadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
30.6490° N · 35.4313° EWadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
30.6515° N · 35.4332° EWadi Faynan Copper Smelting Site 15 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
30.6484° N · 35.4309° E