Khirbat al-Mafjar (Hisham's Palace)

Khirbat al-Mafjar, commonly called Hisham's Palace (Qaṣr Hishām), is an Early Islamic archaeological site north of Jericho associated with Umayyad palace architecture. Constructed in the first half of the 8th century (circa 740–750 in some treatments), the complex is celebrated in scholarship and heritage literature for its luxurious architecture, mosaics, and figural decorative program which contribute to studies of early Islamic art. Traditional attribution links the palace to Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, though some modern accounts note alternate attributions such as his nephew al-Walid ibn Yazid. The site remained in use into the 11th century and sources suggest it may have been damaged or destroyed in an earthquake around 1033, though that detail is treated as uncertain in the cited materials. Current descriptions in heritage databases and tourism resources present Khirbat al-Mafjar as an extant archaeological monument administered within the area governed by the Palestinian National Authority.