Mesha Stele
Monument Ancient inscribed basalt stone recording Moabite king's victory
The Mesha Stele, an Iron Age Moabite inscription from Dhiban, provides a rare regional text mentioning Moabite kings and events; it interests historians, epigraphers and Biblical scholars.
Mesha Stele is an inscribed stone monument associated with the kingdom of Moab in what is now Jordan; the inscription dates to the 9th century BCE and records events under King Mesha. It is one of the most important surviving Iron Age inscriptions from the Levant and is often called the Moabite Stone.
- Original and replica: A modern replica stands at the archaeological site in Dhiban while the surviving original is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
- Inscription length: The inscription comprises roughly 34 lines of Moabite script and is one of the longest Iron Age inscriptions from the Levant.
How to Get to Mesha Stele #
Dhiban (ancient Dibon) is southeast of Madaba; reach it by road from Amman or Madaba. Local tour operators include the stele in regional historical tours.
Tips for Visiting Mesha Stele #
- See the Mesha Stele replica in the local museum if the original is not on display (the original is in the Louvre).
- Combine a visit to Madaba and its mosaic map with other Iron Age and Biblical-era sites in the region.
- Expect basic facilities at smaller archaeological sites; bring water.
Best Time to Visit Mesha Stele #
Spring and autumn are ideal for field visits and archaeological exploration.
Weather & Climate near Mesha Stele #
Mesha Stele's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain.
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February
February is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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