Wadi Shueib

This article is about the river valley. For the Neolithic site, see Wadi Shuʿeib (archaeological site).

Wadi Shueib (Arabic: وادي شُعَيب), Arabic for the Valley of Jethro and properly Wadi Shuʿeib but with many variant romanisations, is a wadi in Jordan.^[1]

A military sketch showing W. Shu'eib and W. Nimrin

The alluvial fan of the wadi where it enters the southern part of the eastern Jordan Valley is known as Wadi Nimrin, which leads into the Jordan River. The site of Tell Nimrin is located at the southern end of Wadi Nimrin.^[2][3]

Etymology

Wadi Shueib is named for the Biblical figure Jethro, Shuʿeib in Arabic.

Geography and ecology

Wadi Shueib lies west of Sweileh at elevations from 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) to sea level.^[1] It drains an area of approximately 180 square kilometers (69 sq mi).^[1]

Towns and villages along the wadi include Salt, Fuheis, and Mahis, which discharge treated and untreated sewage into it.^[1]

Modern dam

An earth-filled dam^[4] was constructed across it in 1968.^[1]

Archaeology

Excavations have confirmed that the area was a major site during Jordan's Neolithic period.^[5]

See also

• Rivers of Jordan

Notes