Wadi Hammeh
وادي الحمة · Wadi al-Hammeh · Wadi Hammeh 27 · Al-Hammeh
Epipalaeolithic to PPNA (c.15,000–11,000 BP)·Kebaran → Natufian → PPNA·🇯🇴 Irbid Governorate, Jordan Valley north, Dead Sea Transform, Jordan
About
About Wadi Hammeh
Epipalaeolithic–PPNA rock-shelter and valley settlement cluster (Wadi Hammeh 27, etc.) at Jordan Valley escarpment, c.15000–11000 BP with Early and Late Natufian base camps, Kebaran microliths, Natufian hamster burials, early barley. Excavated 1983– by Phillip Edwards shows Kebaran → Natufian → PPNA stone architecture (curvilinear), grindstones, ostrich beads. Spring-fed ecotone between highlands and valley, key for sedentism origins and Natufian hamlet → PPNA hamlet transition before WF16.
Why it mattersNatufian sedentism and early barley cultivation before agriculture.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why spring location persistence?
Theories
- 01Ecotone sedentism hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural shelter occupied c.15,000 BP
- Period
- Epipalaeolithic to PPNA (c.15,000–11,000 BP)
- Culture
- Kebaran → Natufian → PPNA
- Builders
- Levantine Epipalaeolithic hunter-gatherers
- Purpose
- Spring-side seasonal camp with grinding and burial
- Abandoned
- c.11,000 BP PPNA shift
- Rediscovered
- 1983 Edwards survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.15,000 BP
Kebaran camp at spring
c.12,500 BP
Late Natufian hamlet WH27
c.11,500 BP
PPNA curvilinear houses
On the ground
Structures & features
32.3000° N · 35.6000° E · -180 m · 3 mapped features
Wadi Hammeh — WH27 shelter
shelterLate Natufian shelter with burials and querns
32.3005° N · 35.6000° EWadi Hammeh — PPNA curvilinear house
housePPNA stone-footed round house, terrace
32.3000° N · 35.6005° EWadi Hammeh — Spring midden
middenGrindstone and barley midden at spring
32.2995° N · 35.5995° E
Gallery