Avdat (Getting Israel Together)
Avdat (Getting Israel Together)
During the period from the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE an
empire was established in the Negev by a group of former nomads
known as Nabateans. In their early stage, the Nabateans were
shepherds, caravaneers and bandits. Later, however, they settled down
in cities which stretched across the Negev and into Jordan, where they
established the city of Petra.
One of their cities was Avdat, named for the Nabatean king who battled
with Herod, in the 1st century BCE. In addition to serving as a caravan
station along the spice route to southern Arabia, Avdat was an
agricultural center - for the Nabateans developed techniques for farming
the desert without the presence of local springs or rain! By channeling
the water of flash floods and collecting soil, these former nomads
managed to produce extensive crops in the barren wastes.
Ein Avdat
Ein means spring and Ein Avdat is a beautiful spring located in between
the city of Avdat and Sede Boker. It is a beautiful, steep waterfall where
one can find ibex at morning and evening hours.