From 1972-76 Svend Helms directed an excavation in the north-east Jordan, an arid desert of black basalt He describes the discovery of an urban settlement of considerable complexity, 22 acres in size, which existed there as long ago as the fourth millenium BC Interesting questions are raised - who were the Jawaites? Why did they choose to settle in such an area? How did they learn their hydrological skills? Why was the town suddenly abandoned?