• Fig. 1 - Location Map
  Fig. 1
  
  Map of the region with the location of the forts in Dajaniya, Udruh and Lejjun
  
  (author: K. Kopij using © CARTO)
  
  Bodzek et. al. (2019)
  from Bodzek et. al. (2019)
• Fig. 14 - Satellite image of the microregion
  Fig. 14
  
  Satellite image of the microregion with the location of the four watchtowers
  
  (author: K. Kopij using © CARTO)
  
  Bodzek et. al. (2019)
  from Bodzek et. al. (2019)

• Fig. 2 - Satellite image
  Fig. 2
  
  Satellite image of the site
  
  (source: Bing Maps)
  
  Bodzek et. al. (2019)
  from Bodzek et. al. (2019)
• Da Janiya in Google Earth
  Da Janiya
  
  click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth

Godwin (2006:281) identified nearly 2 m of architectural debris above floor T.7:007 in room T.7. This debris resulted from collapse of the curtain wall and associated room walls and was stratified into three separate destruction layers: T.7:006, T.7:002, and T.7:001.

T.7:006, the lowermost tumble layer directly above the floor, was 1.05 m thick and composed of soil and tumbled basalt blocks. It yielded a large ceramic assemblage: 3 Late Byzantine, 6 Early Byzantine, 12 Late Roman, and 272 Late Roman/Early Byzantine sherds. The pottery initially suggested a date around 502 CE, at the transition between the Early and Late Byzantine periods. However, the Fire in the Sky Quake of 502 was too distant to have caused this level of destruction at the site. This raises the possibility that the collapse may instead be attributed to the ~500 CE Negev Quake.

Above this, T.7:002 was a 0.77 m thick tumble layer that contained few sherds but continued the sequence of structural collapse. Overlying it, T.7:001 was the uppermost layer—just 0.18 m thick—consisting of tumble mixed with topsoil. This layer yielded only five unidentifiable sherds (from the same vessel) and an iron nail.

Below the tumble sequence, the beaten earth floor T.7:007 measured 0.25 m thick and contained mixed secondary debris, likely fill brought from elsewhere. Finds included 132 animal bones and 258 diagnostic sherds: 13 Early Byzantine, 22 Late Roman, and 223 Late Roman/Early Byzantine. A coin found on adjacent floor T.6.007 (an equivalent layer) provided a terminus post quem of ca. 324–491 CE for use of the floor. Godwin (2006:285) later reports that of 11 total coins found on-site, 4 were classified simply as “Early Byzantine (ca. 324–491).” He concludes that while occupation continued in room T.6 into the Late Byzantine period, the use of T.7 appears to have ended after floor T.7:007 was abandoned and covered by the overlying debris layers.

Beneath the floor, ash layer T.7:008 was 0.33 m thick and covered the entire excavated area of the room. It yielded 59 sherds: 15 Early Byzantine, 7 Late Roman, and 37 Late Roman/Early Byzantine, along with several goat and caprine bones and an iron knife blade. This ash layer was interpreted as the residue of domestic activity, likely cooking.

At the bottom of the stratigraphy, fill layer T.7:009 consisted of sterile soil. Its smooth and compacted surface suggests it may have served briefly as a temporary floor.

Godwin (2006:281) identified 3 destruction layers in room T.7. Roughly 2 m of architectural debris overlaid floor T.7:007, representing collapse from the curtain wall and other walls of the room. The 2 m of debris was divided into 3 different layers which is illustrated in the Harris Matrix (Fig. 14.9) and described in the Table below. Tumble layer T.7:006 appears to have been dated by findings of almost 300 sherds but mis-assigned to the 502 CE Fire in the Sky Quake which was too far away to have caused such damage. This may suggest that the fortresses suffered damage during the hypothesized ~500 CE Negev Quake. The two later destruction layers were interpreted as earthquake induced but were undated.

Godwin (2006:281) identified three destruction layers in Room T.1, which served as the aedes. This is illustrated in the Harris Matrix (Fig. 14.5). Collapse layer T.1:006 was interpreted as possibly caused by the 551 CE Beirut Quake, but the distance to the epicenter makes this attribution unlikely. The Inscription at Areopolis Quake may instead be responsible. The two later destruction layers—T.1:002 and T.1:001—were also interpreted as earthquake-induced, though undated.

Layer T.1:006, a soil and collapse layer about 0.31 m deep, covered floor T.1:010 and lower fills in the room. It yielded 5 Byzantine, 2 Early Byzantine, 13 Late Roman, and 52 Late Roman/Early Byzantine sherds, one Early Byzantine coin (Coin #272), one bead (Obj. #599), and 75 animal bones including caprine, pig, and chicken. The upper portion of this layer contained unburned wooden planks and beams—evidence of the collapse of a plank-and-beam roof. Godwin notes that “the room walls appear to have stood for some time. Finally, the walls collapsed, as evidenced by a massive layer of tumbled stone in the upper portion of T.1:006.” Concentrated patches of ash, charcoal, and faunal remains suggest brief ephemeral reuse. An intrusive burial was found in T.1:006, sealed by a second collapse layer, T.1:002. That layer, in turn, held a second burial and was sealed by a third collapse layer, T.1:001. The uppermost layer, T.1:001, yielded only two modern, three Late Islamic, and a few earlier sherds, along with an alabaster tessera (Obj. #344).

Godwin writes that “as no grave goods, pottery, or coins were associated with these burials, it is difficult to determine the date of the burials, which would provide a terminus ante quem for the destruction layers in which they were set.” Nevertheless, “the series of collapse layers sealing the burials point out that further serious damage to the room, probably by an earthquake, occurred at least twice after the earthquake of 551.”

The plaster floor T.1:010 represented the final official surface in the aedes, although its survival was only partial and no pottery was recovered directly from it. Just above the floor, in the southwest corner, was a dung deposit (T.1:009) about 0.75 × 0.75 m and 0.05 m thick, interpreted as stored fuel. Atop this heap was a patch of burned dung (T.1:008) containing a partially burned wooden plank, likely from a cooking fire. Godwin notes that this activity suggests brief, unofficial reuse of the room after its official function ended, while the roof was still intact. These layers were eventually sealed by T.1:006.

Beneath the floor was T.1:011, the earliest occupational layer in the aedes, interpreted as a leveling deposit laid after a major clean-out in the early 6th century. It yielded 3 Late Roman/Early Byzantine sherds and a nummus (Coin #560) dated 491–498 CE, providing a terminus post quem. Though earlier use is not archaeologically attested, Godwin argues that “the aedes almost certainly functioned throughout the history of the fort from the early fourth century.” The clean-out likely followed the 502 CE Fire in the Sky Quake, after which T.1:011 was deposited and T.1:010 laid as the new floor.

Godwin (2006:281) identified 3 destruction layers in room T.1 (aedes). This is illustrated in the Harris Matrix (Fig. 14.5) and described in the Table below. The author suggested that Collapse layer T.1:006 may have fallen during to the 551 CE Beirut Quake but this earthquake was likely too distant to have caused such damage. This might suggest the late 6th century Inscription at Areopolis Quake caused the destruction. The two later destruction layers were interpreted as earthquake induced but were undated.

Bodzek, J, Kopij, K., Miszk, L., Cwiąkala, P. u. a. (2019) Results of ‘Archaeological Study of Dajaniya & Tuwaneh’ 2018 survey of Dajaniya (Ma’an-Husseiniyeh), Southern Jordan. in Piotr Kolodziejczyk (Hrsg.): Discovering Edom. Polish archaeological activity in southern Jordan. Krakau, S. 51–67

Freeman, P. (1990:191) “Recent work on a Roman fort in south Jordan” in Akten des. 14. Internationalen Limeskongresses 1986 in Carnuntum. (1990).

Akten des. 14. Internationalen Limeskongresses 1986 in Carnuntum. (1990). Austria: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademic der Wissenschaften.

Parker, S. T. (1986). Romans and Saracens: A History of the Arabian Frontier.  United States: American Schools of Oriental Research. - can be borrowed with a free account from archive.org

Parker, S. T. (1988). Preliminary Report on the 1985 Season of the Limes Arabicus Project. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research. Supplementary Studies, 25, 131–174.

Parker, S. T. (1990) The Limes Arabicus Project: The 1989 Campaign ADAJ 34

Parker, S. T., Betlyon, J.W., and Toplyn, M.R. (1990) Preliminary Report on the 1987 Season of the Limes Arabicus Project (= Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research. Supplementary Studies 26). Preliminary Reports of ASOR-Sponsored Excavations 1983-1987, The American Schools of Oriental Research, pp. 89-136

Parker, S. T. (1991). Preliminary Report on the 1989 Season of the Limes Arabicus Project. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research. Supplementary Studies, 27, 117–154.

Sauer, J.A. (1973) Heshbon pottery 1971. A preliminary report on the pottery from the 1971 excavations at Tell Ḥesbân (= Andrews University monographs 7), Andrews University Press, Berrien Springs - used by Parker in Limes Arabicus excavations in Jordan - can be borrowed with a free account at archive.org

Parker, S.T. (2006) The Roman Frontier in Central Jordan: Final Report on the Limes Arabicus Project, 1980–1989, Washington

Parker, S. T. (ed.) (2006) The Roman Frontier in Central Jordan. Final Report on the Limes Arabicus Project, 1980–1989 . Volume 2 (= Dumbarton Oaks Studies 40), Washington, DC, 2006, ISBN 978-0-88402-298-5.

Karak Resources Project - Castella in Arabia

• from wikipedia - click link to open page in a separate tab and then use your browser to translate the page

• from wikipedia