Zeiraqun

Zeiraqun is large Early Bronze city located on a high plateau overlooking the Wadi esh-Shallalah in northern Jordan. It covered an area approximately 300 by 400 meters and was surrounded by a large, 7 meter thick wall along its northern, western, and southern sides (the vertical wall of the wadi provided protection on its eastern side). The excavations focused on two areas. In the upper city, along the western wall, the excavators uncovered the main city gate, which gave entrance to a temple complex, and administrative center, and an industrial area. In the southwestern corner of the site, the excavators uncovered a postern gate and a residential area.

Zeiraqun is an important site because it is one of the largest Early Bronze cities in the southern Levant. The temple complex, with its adjacent adminstrative center, also has parallels with the Early Bronze temple complex at Megiddo.