Kharaneh IV

Kharaneh IV is an archaeological site in the Azraq Basin that contains layers documenting human settlement over several centuries. The site shows how permanent living arrangements gradually developed, with remains of simple huts and occupation areas visible in the deposits.

The site reveals that people here transitioned from hunting and gathering to settled living over thousands of years. This shift marks a crucial turning point when communities began to stay in one place rather than constantly moving.

The site is known for discoveries of seashells and red ochre, revealing that early inhabitants traded with one another and followed social practices. These findings show that hunter-gatherer communities here had already developed organized ways of living together.

The site sits in an open landscape in northeastern Jordan, so visitors should prepare for heat and limited shade. It is best to arrive early in the day and bring plenty of water, as the region is sparsely populated.

Researchers found traces of plants and starch at the site, showing that early inhabitants made use of wetland resources. These findings are rarer than at other digs and provide unusual insight into how ancient people fed themselves.