The Sugar Cane Mills
The sugar mills, located at the base of Mount Quruntal in the Jordan Valley, feature a well-preserved industrial setup for sugar production. Known as Tawahin Al-Sukkar, the site was identified as a key area for sugar manufacturing. The Palestinian Department of Antiquities excavated the site in 2000 and 2001, uncovering remnants of its operations, including a water system for cultivating sugarcane, the mill itself, and surrounding agricultural land.
The site also includes remains of various industrial facilities such as a water canal, a courtyard, a mill, a refinery, an oven, a kitchen, and storage spaces.
The sugar production process involved grinding sugarcane to extract the juice, which was then heated in copper pots until it boiled. Through evaporation, the water was removed, leaving behind the concentrated sugar.