The industrial heart of Jordan hides a 4,000-year-old commercial artery
In short: Modern Russeifa is defined by heavy industry and phosphate mining, but its geography reveals an older story. Situated on the upper reaches of the Zarqa River, this city served as a vital trade waypoint for millennia, even as modern expansion has physically erased nearly all of its ancient footprint.
Russeifa serves as a critical node in Jordan's industrial landscape. Located in the Zarqa River basin between Amman and Zarqa, it forms part of the Levant's second-largest metropolitan area after Damascus. The city’s modern identity is tied to its resources; phosphate mining began here in 1935 following discoveries by Amin Kamel Kawar. Today, the Jordan Phosphate Mines company operates these deposits, while the region's proximity to major highways and water sources supports a concentration of heavy industries.
Beneath this industrial veneer lies Khirbat ar-Rusayfah, an archaeological site occupying an artificial mound 675 meters above sea level. During the Decapolis period, the site functioned as a commercial artery for trade and travel. Excavations conducted between 1999 and 2004 by Romel Ghrayib revealed a deep history of human occupation spanning from the Early Bronze Age to the Byzantine period. Notable finds include mud-brick walls, loom weights, and an ivory spindle whorl, alongside significant pottery deposits dating back to the end of the third millennium BCE.
The site's history is marked by both preservation and destruction. While explorers like Burckhardt (1812) and Glueck (1939) documented its significance, modern urbanization has damaged approximately 95% of the ancient site. The most substantial remains are from the Byzantine era, specifically a large limestone structure known as the "Big Building," which may have served as a church. Conservation efforts now focus on this specific building and select Bronze Age features to protect what remains of Jordan's historical trade route.
The city's connectivity has remained constant through different eras. It was linked to the Roman Yajuz road connecting Zarqa with Amman, and by 1930 and 1938, it was officially listed as a station on the Hejaz railway.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Russeifa
- Also: Wikidata — Russeifa · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Russeifa · CC0
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