by Stephan G. Schmid, Zbigniew T. Fiema and Bernhard Kolb
III. 2012 survey season – other structures
Additionally, work continued or was initiated in other, larger recognizable structures. Structure 3, a large colonnaded façade flanking a monumental entrance, located on the southern slope of the survey area was intensively sherded and its ground plan finished. Similar activities were conducted at Structure 5, possibly a large tower related either to surveillance or water distribution, located in the centre of the survey area.
Also, two new structures were identified and mapped. Structure 4, on the northeastern slopes of the survey area, is a series of parallel rooms along the edge of the plateau, probably being the substructure of a monumental portico overlooking the Wadi Mattaha, as does Structure 3 towards Wadi Mousa. Further west, also on the slopes overlooking the Wadi Mattaha, is Structure 6 – a series of parallel rooms in three consecutive rows, which much projects into the wadi. The function of this structure is not yet determined. Intensive surface sherding was conducted in all these structures.
As in Structure ?, several area in- and outside Structures 4 and 6 provided rather homogeneous amounts of Nabataean pottery of the late 1st century BC and the very early 1st century AD. Especially in areas immediately below Structures 4 and 6, in the slopes leading towards Wadi Mattaha, pottery of phase 1 According to Schmid 2000. , dating to the Hellenistic period (3rd to mid 1st century BC) was collected. This fits very well with similar observations that were made in 2011 related to Structure 2.
