Israel-s Archaeological Treasures - The Judean Desert and the Negev

AERIAL VIEW OF  JERICHO
This aerial view of Jericho shows the outlines of the ancient city. Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back over 10,000 years.

		THE WALLS OF  JERICHO
		Jericho's ancient walls and ramparts, made famous by Joshua's trumpets, can be viewed as well as walked upon.

HISHAM PALACE,  JERICHO
The Caliph Hisham, of the Omayyad dynasty from Damascus built this luxurious winter palace in Jericho in 724 C.E. However, an earthquake

destroyed it before he was able to live in it. This is an excellent example of ornate Islamic architecture.

		HISHAM PALACE,  JERICHO -  MOSAIC
		This exquisite mosaic floor showing a deer and a tree is located in the Hisham Palace, and survived the earthquake's destruction.

QUMRAN CAVES
Not far from Jericho are the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd looking for a lost goat in 1947. Many scholars consider the scrolls and

other fragments one of the most significant Biblical archaeological discoveries of the century.

		QUMRAN CAVES
		The Qumran Caves near the Dead Sea, were originally used by the Essenes, a messianic sect of Jews, who sought isolation in the desolation of the Judean Desert. The caves were used to store their parchment writings.

MASADA
Israel's most spectacular archaeological site. Masada towers 300 meters (980 ft.) over the shores of the Dead Sea. King Herod built a fortress-palace here in 73 C.E. Later, during the revolt against Rome, Jewish fighters committed suicide here, rather then becoming Roman slaves, thus establishing a modern Israeli legend.

		HERODIUM
		The Herodium, like Masada was one link in a chain of desert fortresses built by King Herod. It is located eight kilometers (5 miles) east of Bethlehem. The circular

protective wall with four watch towers, encloses a palace, baths, a synagogue, and a banquet hall as big as a football stadium, all 800 meters (2600 feet) above sea level and 300 meters (980 feet) above the desert floor.

AVDAT - NABATEAN  CITY
The Nabateans, Arab nomads and Edomites, were farmers and traders. They lived in Transjordan with Petra as their capital. Avdat, the Negev's main Nabatean city, was built in

2nd century B.C.E. This oasis site includes burial caves, impressive buildings, a kiln and workshops. This important city lay on the spice route between Mediterranean Sea and Saudi Arabia.

		ST. THEODORE'S  CHURCH,  AVDAT
		Christianity was established as the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century. As a result, many Byzantine churches were

constructed in Israel. These columns catch the dawn's first light at Avdat's St. Theodore's Byzantine Church.