The Casemate Wall System of Khirbat Safra

Problem A casemate wall system was found at Khirbat Safra in 2018 and 2019, which has been dated to early Iron Age I. However, no comprehensive study of Iron Age I casemate wall systems in Transjordan has been conducted. Therefore, this thesis will present and compare the findings from Kh. Safra and four other sites in Transjordan which have casemate wall systems dating to Iron Age I. Method A short study on the history of fortifications, casemate wall systems, and siege warfare was conducted for this thesis. The ruins from Fields A, B, C, and D at Kh. Safra were then examined along with the ruins of four other Iron Age I casemate wall systems in Transjordan. Lastly, the features of these five casemate wall systems were compared. Results Parallels to the casemate wall system of Kh. Safra were found at four sites throughout Transjordan. A comparison of the parallels helps to understand the form and function of the Iron Age I casemate wall systems found in Transjordan so far. Conclusions It was possible to conclude that the casemate wall system of Kh. Safra is unique in terms of its location (being the only Iron Age I casemate wall system in its region) but not in terms of its form and function. Rather, Kh. Safra and the four other Iron Age I casemate wall systems in Transjordan share many similarities both architecturally and potentially through the purpose these defensive walls served