Floodwater farming and quarrying at Jabal Hamra Arlbieg in the Jordanian desert: Economic support for the classical period Faynan Orefield

Recent research has shown that the Faynan Orefield was a scene of intensive metal production during Classical Period, but infrastructure supporting this activity is less well known. We present evidence for previously undetected floodwater-farming and quarrying, which contributed to economic life complex times. The site located on an ancient route, south main orefield. describe hydrological control features floodwater farm possible place habitation. Pollen analysis suggests olives cereals were cultivated. Exposures sediment sequences containing buried walls, ceramics both within upon these sediments, all indicate took Nabatean Late Roman/Byzantine Two quarried areas distinguished from natural landforms by combination geomorphic properties variations in geochemistry Mn-Fe rich desert varnish long-exposed rock surfaces. Essentially uncontaminated pollution, provided produce building stone Orefield. Sediments soils are essentially unpolluted.