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Mesha Stele

Monument

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.

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In this guide

Mesha Stele essentials

Address: Mesha Stele discovered near Dhiban (Dibon), Madaba Governorate, Jordan
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About Mesha Stele

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.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Mesha Stele

Spring and autumn are ideal for field visits and archaeological exploration.

Spring
Mar-May · 15-28°C
Comfortable temperatures for field visits.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 18-28°C
Good visiting conditions.

Weather & Climate near Mesha Stele

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 79 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
-1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 4° - 13° 7° 71 mm some cloud 64% 2.6 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.2h
February Good 5° - 15° 8° 57 mm partly cloudy 61% 3.1 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.9h
March Very Good 7° - 18° 13° 53 mm some cloud 58% 3.3 m/s 1.3 high 11.9h
April Excellent 11° - 23° 17° 18 mm some cloud 51% 2.8 m/s 1.8 very high 12.8h
May Ideal 14° - 28° 21° 4 mm mostly sunny 43% 3.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.6h
June Ideal 17° - 31° 24° 0 mm clear 43% 3.1 m/s 2.7 extreme 14.0h
July Ideal 18° - 32° 25° 0 mm clear 45% 3.4 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.8h
August Ideal 19° - 32° 25° 0 mm clear 48% 3.0 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.1h
September Ideal 17° - 30° 24° 0 mm clear 51% 2.8 m/s 1.9 very high 12.2h
October Ideal 15° - 27° 21° 4 mm clear 51% 2.3 m/s 1.3 high 11.3h
November Excellent 10° - 21° 15° 30 mm mostly sunny 53% 2.4 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.4h
December Good 6° - 15° 10° 57 mm some cloud 59% 2.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.0h
Getting There & Around

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.