Al Beidha, also known as Beidha, is a significant Neolithic archaeological site located approximately 3 kilometres north of Petra, near Siq al-Barid (Little Petra) in Jordan. This site offers profound insights into early human societal development, particularly the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer groups to settled agricultural communities. Initially inhabited around 7200 BC, the early settlers constructed circular, semi-subterranean houses using stone masonry, reflecting a communal lifestyle. They engaged in cultivating barley and emmer wheat, herded goats, and supplemented their diet by hunting wild animals and gathering native plants. The presence of Anatolian obsidian and mother-of-pearl from the Red Sea indicates early trade networks.  

Around 6650 BC, a destructive fire led to the village’s reconstruction, marking a significant architectural evolution. The new structures were rectangular and above-ground, accommodating a growing population and suggesting shifts in social organisation. Specialised workshops emerged, indicating advancements in craft and trade. The village was ultimately abandoned around 6500 BC for reasons still unknown. Today, Al Beidha stands as one of the oldest archaeological sites in the Middle East, offering a window into the dawn of settled human civilisation.