Iron Age Fortifications in Moab
Dr. Terry Eddinger
Fortifications in Iron Age Moab were the primary means of protecting communities from enemies. They functioned two ways. First, they served as a place of refuge for a region’s inhabitants in the event of an attack. Second, they served as a post or base from where troops could deploy and patrol a much larger geographical area. For this reason, fortresses often were placed in strategic locations such as along major highways or locations that allowed for good observation of the surrounding countryside such as on top of hills.
Fortresses have several different elements. Massive walls enclosed areas in which people withdrew during times of attack or siege, towers provided observation and key defensive positions, and gate complexes allowed easy access during peace times but were converted into formidable barriers in times of war. Sometimes defenders dug moats to provide an additional barrier between the enemy and the fortress proper.
