The Incense Route -Desert Cities in the Negev

World Heritage Site no. 1107Nominated 15/7/2005

Prepered by: Dr. Tsvika Tsuk, Michal Levi - NPA

The Negev – The Southern Region of Israel

Vast desert area with few water resources High mountains and deep canyons Cold winters and dry, hot summers Wilderness landscape Desert flowers bloom in spring after rainy winters

Historical Background

Chronology Period Structures

3rd Cent. B.C.E –2nd Cent. C.E

NabataeanRoad Stations, temples, beginning of dwellings, milestones

2nd – 4th Cent. C.E.RomanSettlements, agriculture, camp, milestones

4th – 7th Cent. C.E.ByzantineCities, villages, churches, bathhouses, agriculture, other routes

The Incense Route Frankincense, Myrrh and other spices passed through this

route from Oman and Yemen to the Roman Empire

The Route began in Obar, Oman, passed the Saudian Peninsula, and through Jordan near Petra, and the Negev,

ending at the port of Gaza

The Incense Route From Gaza the valuable merchandise was

shipped to Roman ports in the Mediterranean

Pliny the Elder described the Incense Route in detail

Pliny’s Description • “After the frankincense is collected, it is conveyed by camel to Sabota, and

one of the gates of the city is opened to receive the merchandise. The kings enacted a permanent law that it is a serious crime for a camel bearing frankincense to divert from the main road. In Sabota, the priests levy a tithe on the frankincense for the god known as Sabin … From here, the merchandise may be conveyed through the land of the Gebbanites only, and therefore tax must be paid to the king of this people as well. Their capital is Thomna, which is 1487.5 miles [2380 km] from Gaza in Judea, located on the coast of the Mediterranean. The journey is divided into 65 stages [36.6 km each], at each of which is a rest station for the camels. Regular portions of frankincense must be paid to the priests of the lands, their kings, and their scribes. In addition, portions are also taken by guards at gates and their servants. In addition to these, they must pay all the way, in one place for water, elsewhere for a place at the way station, and also for food. Thus, expenses come to 688 denarii even before reaching the Mediterranean. Then our imperial tax officials must be paid again. Because of this, the price of good frankincense can be six denerii per liter, average frankincense can be five denarii, and the third type can be three denarii”.

Pliny, Historia Naturalis, 12:32: 63-65

MoaKasra

NekarotEin-Saharonim

Makhmal

SivtaAvdat

Nizana

Mamshit

Gaza

Petra

The Incense Route

Haluza

Graffon

Area of Buffer Zone in Hectares

Area of Core Zone in Hectares

Sites

62,592 6,314The Route and Avdat

27852 Haluza 514242 Mamshit 48447 Shivta

SITES AND AREA

Linear Property: The Route 65 km. Long, average 1.0 km wide

• National parks are areas meant for “the public enjoyment of nature or for the preservation of areas of historic, archaeological, or architectural importance”.

• An area designated as a national park may not be changed…No building work or other activity will be permitted unless it has been approved by the National Parks Authority.

• A nature reserve is “an area in which animals, plants, inanimate objects, soil, caves, water and landscape are protected from changes in their appearance, biological makeup, and natural development.”

National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Memorial Sites Law – 1992

Protected Areas along the Route

The Antiquities Law - 1978Antiquities Law Chpt. 7: Antiquity Sites 28. (a) The Director may declare a particular

place to be an antiquity site...

29. (a) A person shall not carry out, or allow to be carried out, any of the following activities on an antiquity site…

Antiquities protected sites Along the Route

Main Stakeholders

• Local residents: Jews and Muslims (Bedouin)

• Ramat Negev Regional Council

• Middle Arava Regional Council

• Mizpe Ramon Local Council

• Negev Development Authority

• “Friends of The Earth”

• Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

Main Stakeholders • Ben Gurion University –

Ancient Agriculture

• Israel, Nature and Parks Authority - Ministry of Environment, State of Israel

• Israel Antiquities Authority -Ministry of Education, State of Israel

• Ministry of Tourism, State of Israel

1. Moa Fortress and Caravanserai“Station no. 60” – First in the Negev

• The Caravanserai 40 X 40 m, a central courtyard surrounded by several rooms with bath facilities

• The Fortress 17 X 17 m, a central courtyard surrounded by 11 rooms with an olive press

• The Water Pool 11 x 9 m filled by an underground spring

2. Kasra FortressDaylight Guard Post • Watchtower 5 x 5.5 m includes 3 rooms• Hidden Water Cistern

3. Nekarot FortressSmall Watchtower

• Two-story Tower with 3 rooms • Ruined Complex of 6 rooms• Small Hidden Water Cistern

4. Ein Saharonim Caravanserai “Station no. 61”

One day walk from Moa (Station 60)

The Caravanserai 42 X 42 m, a central courtyard surrounded by many rooms with workshops for craftsmen, bath tubs and a cooking stove.

5. Makhmal Ascent and FortressLookout and guard spot

• Watchtower 7 x 6.5 m with 2 rooms

• Water cistern 8x4.8 m 150 cubic m

6. Graffon FortressWatchtower

• Watchtower 6 x 6 m• Living quarters = building with 5 rooms • Small lookout tower 2 x 2 m• Hidden Water Cistern•

7. Milestones along the Route

• In Makhtesh Ramon, 6 milestone stations

• In Nafha Highlands, 5 milestone stations

Two Segments of road with Milestones:

Each station consists of two milestones

10. Avdat National Park “Station no. 62”• Small town 400 X 300m

• Roman Quarter and Tower • Military Camp• Nabataean Temple • 2 Churches • Byzantine Fortress • Bathhouse

11. Haluza “Station no. 63”

• The most Northern City in the Negev• Small Theater • One Church

12. Mamshit - Located on Secondary Route• The most eastern town• Gate and City Wall • Caravanserai • Bathhouse • 2 Churches • Villas

13. ShivtaLocated on Secondary Route

• Small Town • Sophisticated Water System• 2 Water Pools • 3 Churches • 3 Winepresses

Management PlanThe Nature and Parks Authority

Responsible for the management and protection of nature reserves, national parks and the natural and heritage assets in Israel

The Authority is comprised of five administrative districts

The Incense Route and Desert Cities are included in the Southern District

Conservation actions in the protected areas• Management plan for ecotourism and recreation (roads, camping sites, trails, visitor centers etc.)

• Conservation of archaeological sites – detailed programs for the route sites

• Planning and promoting protected areas proclamation

• Inspection of the state infrastructure development activities during planning and construction

Management Plan

• Research and monitoring activities

• Rehabilitation of disturbed habitat and Quarries restoration

• Invading species and Pest control

• Reintroduction of endangered species (Wild Ass, Arabian Oryx)

• Populations control

Conservation actions in the protected areasManagement Plan

• Low enforcement-of the “National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Memorial Sites Law – 1992” and “Wild animal protection low” and other environmental lows

• Management plan for army practices

• Environmental education and instruction for the Army and general public by special centers and guides

Conservation actions in the protected areasManagement Plan

Management Plan Professional Training

Education and training of the employees include courses in:

• Conservation• Management• Enforcement• Visitor Service• Public participation and education

See You in The Negev…