Oxford team discovers ancient Roman military camps in Jordan, Saudi Arabia

Researchers at the University of Oxford’s school of archaeology have discovered evidence of a previously undocumented Roman military campaign across eastern Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

In a report published in the journal Antiquity, the team said it had identified the remains of three army camps "linked to the Roman takeover of the Nabataean Kingdom in 106 AD, a civilisation centred on the world-famous city of Petra, located in Jordan".

"We are almost certain they were built by the Roman army," research lead Dr Michael Fradley said.

Fradley explained that this conclusion was based on the "typical playing card shape of the enclosures with opposing entrances along each side".

It is thought that the forts may have been used for just a number of days or weeks.

‘Spectacular’ new find: Using @googleearth, Oxford's @school_of_arch has found three Roman military camps in the deserts of northern Arabia.

The discovery could be evidence of a probable undocumented military campaign across south-east Jordan into Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/umWwHBIncK

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 27, 2023

The camps, which are larger on the western side, give some clues about the nature of the campaign.

"Why does the western camp have twice the capacity of the other two? Did the force split, and if so, where did the other half go?" asked Professor Andrew Wilson, a co-author of the Antiquity report.

"Was it half wiped out in a battle, or did they remain in the western camp to resupply the other camps with water?"

Dr Mike Bishop, an Oxford expert on the Roman military, described the new find as "spectacular".

"Roman forts and fortresses show how Rome held a province but temporary camps reveal how they acquired it in the first place," he was quoted by the BBC as saying.

Having now identified the camps using aerial images, the researchers say that work on the ground will need to take place to properly date the sites.