It was mentioned by Josephus in the third century AD, and was mentioned in (Peutinger Plates), and it appeared on the mosaic map of Madaba (sixth century AD) under the name Archelais. It is surrounded by a low wall and three watch and protection towers (as in the map above) to be a station for caravans between Jericho and Beit Shean (Beisan). It was built by Archelaus, son of King Herod the Great of Edom, who was appointed by the Romans as a quarter-ruler.