Ba'ja

Ba'ja is a Neolithic settlement in southern Jordan with stone structures built on steep slopes and connected by internal staircases. The buildings have thick walls and basement areas integrated into the terrain.

The settlement was founded around 7400 BCE during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period and ranks among the earliest known permanent human settlements in the region. It marks a key transition to settled living in that era.

The residents left traces of their daily activities through tools and household objects that reveal how they lived and worked. These items show the practical skills and craftsmanship of the early community.

The site sits at 1160 meters elevation in a narrow canyon about 14 kilometers north of Petra and is only accessible by climbing routes. Visitors should bring good footwear and reasonable fitness to handle the climbs.

A discovered necklace with approximately 2500 beads was found in a decorated tomb of a young girl, showing remarkable craftsmanship. The scale of this ornament suggests the community had stable food resources and time to invest in such elaborate work.