Ashar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet
Nabataean–Roman–Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE) highland·Nabataean desert frontier·🇮🇱 Southern District, Israel
About
About Ashar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet
Ashar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet in Southern District, Israel is a Nabataean–Roman–Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE) highland fortress attributed to Nabataean desert frontier. Highland fortlet 30 × 20 m on 800 m ridge near Shaharut above Yotvata. Erickson–Ginat Nabataean fortlet overlooking Arava ramp, Byzantine reuse.
Why it mattersKey Negev–Anatolian highland site
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Desert agriculture technology
- 02Roman frontier model
Theories
- 01Incense trade water management
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 100 BCE
- Period
- Nabataean–Roman–Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE) highland
- Culture
- Nabataean desert frontier
- Purpose
- Highland fortlet 30 × 20 m on 800 m ridge near Shaharut above Yotvata
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 100 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Systematic survey
On the ground
Structures & features
29.9000° N · 34.9800° E · 800 m · 4 mapped features
Ashar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet — Fort Wall
wallCircuit wall
29.9001° N · 34.9801° EAshar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet — Tower
towerCorner tower
29.9003° N · 34.9799° EAshar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet — Gate
gateGate with flanking towers
29.8998° N · 34.9803° EAshar? Actually Shaharut — Negev Highlands Fortlet — Reservoir
reservoirWater storage
29.8996° N · 34.9799° E