Stone blocks with carvings of lions and feasts have been found scattered on a hill in Jordan. Experts believe these could be from an ancient palace built about 2,800 years ago. The blocks, found at a site called Mahanaim near modern-day Dayr Allah, might be from the time when the Kingdom of Israel controlled this area. Researchers think these stones were once part of a grand structure, possibly an ancient Israelite palace in Jordan.
A recent study published in the Tel Aviv: Journal of the Institute of Archaeology highlights the discovery of ancient artifacts in Jordan. Researchers compared the carvings on these stone blocks to similar designs found at another important Israelite site in Sinai.
This research adds to the knowledge of Israel’s history and art. It also offers insights into biblical stories linked to Mahanaim. One such story is about Jacob, who wrestled with an angel and was given the name “Israel” (Genesis 32:22-31).
The study makes no claims about proving the truth of biblical stories tied to this region. Instead, it highlights evidence of a strong Israelite administrative presence in Transjordan. This, researchers say, helps explain why key biblical tales were linked to the area. The authors of the study, Prof. Israel Finkelstein from Haifa University and Prof. Tallay Ornan from Hebrew University, emphasize this point.
Focus on “Tall adh-Dhahab al-Gharbi” and “Tall adh-Dhahab al-Sharqi”
The research focuses on two nearby hills in a bend of the Zarka River, about six kilometers from where it meets the Jordan River. The western hill, now called Tall adh-Dhahab al-Gharbi, contains remains of an ancient town that saw activity during several historical periods.
It is here that the carved blocks were discovered. So, on the eastern side of the river is Tall adh-Dhahab al-Sharqi, which shows fewer archaeological remains from a single ancient shrine.
For years, historians have associated the Zarka River with the biblical Jabbok, a tributary of the Jordan River mentioned in ancient texts.
This waterway is said to flow through Gilead, the biblical name for the region in Transjordan. Moreover, the two hills nearby, known as al-Gharbi and al-Sharqi, are believed to correspond to the biblical sites of Mahanaim and Penuel.
Mahanaim, meaning “two camps” in Hebrew, is linked to the story of Jacob naming the area (Genesis 32:2).
The adjacent hill, Penuel, is tied to another event where Jacob reportedly wrestled with an angel and named the site after seeing the “face of God” (Genesis 32:30). These connections provide a glimpse into the region’s rich historical and biblical significance.
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