The Edomite kingdom stretched from Wadi al-Hasa, at the southern end of the Dead Sea, to the Gulf of Aqaba. The Edomites established hilltop settlements on mountains that were difficult to access, such as Umm al-Biyara, Ba'ja, and Sela near Tafila.

Umm al-Biyara, the highest mountain in Petra that rises 1161 m above sea level, was the first Iron Age Edomite site to be extensively excavated in the 1960s by the late C.M. Bennett of the British School of Archaeology. The name Umm al-Biyara (Mother of Cisterns) is probably due to the large number of water cisterns found there, many of which date back to the Edomite period. At the summit, there is an unwalled settlement from the 7th–8th centuries BC, consisting of small houses built using rough stones without mortar. A seal of Qos-Gaber, an Edomite king from the 7th century BC, was found there in the excavations. The site also offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it strategically important for defense and communication purposes. The excavations at Umm al-Biyara have provided valuable insights into the history and culture of the Edomite people who inhabited the region during the Iron Age.