Location

Dibon is located adjacent to the modern village of Dhiban, 64 km south of Amman and 4 km north of the Arnon River.

It comprises two natural hills, with the northern hill being the site of the ancient city.

Identification

Initially settled in the Early Bronze Age, Dibon was a significant city in the Moabite kingdom during the Iron Age.

The site’s location was established by its similarity to the name of the modern Arab village and confirmed by the discovery of the Mesha Stela in 1868.

History

Moabite Era: Dibon was an important city in Moab, possibly from as early as the 13th century BCE.

Biblical and Historical References: It is mentioned in the Bible and the stela of Mesha, king of Moab. Its history is closely linked with the fortunes of Moab.

Biblical References

In the Bible: Dibon is referred to in Numbers 21:30 as a city seized from Moab by Sihon, king of the Amorites, and later taken by the Israelites. It was assigned to the tribes of Gad and Reuben.

Dibon-Gad: It is also known as Dibon-Gad in the Bible (Numbers 33:45-46).

Excavations and Findings

Early Bronze: Evidence of Early Bronze Age occupation, a possible palace and sanctuary

Iron Age I: Findings include a major structure on the summit of the mound, believed to be a palace, alongside a sanctuary where a terra-cotta incense stand of the Iron Age I Beth-Shean type was found.

Iron Age II: In the northeast area, an Iron Age II gate was discovered, along with circular stone silos from the same period.

Nabatean to Byzantine Periods: A Nabatean temple resembling Petra’s Bint Far’un temple, Roman inscriptions and coins, and Byzantine churches and structures.

Early Arab to Mameluke Periods: Umayyad occupation with a fortified manor house, followed by Ayyubid-Mameluke reoccupation.

The Cemetery: Tombs from the later Moabite and Byzantine periods were discovered, along with some Greek epitaphs.