Ein Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery
Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE)·Nabataean–Christian monks·🇮🇱 Southern District, Israel
About
About Ein Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery
Ein Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery in Southern District, Israel is a Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE) hydraulic attributed to Nabataean–Christian monks. Canyon 15 m high dam and Byzantine monastery caves tiered at Ein Avdat gorge. Ein Avdat desert canyon with Nabatean earthen dams and Byzantine hermit caves 40 m cliff.
Why it mattersKey Nabataean–Christian monks reference for transition
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade route evidence
- 02Neolithic origins
Theories
- 01Earliest farming model
- 02Desert port logistics
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 dam; 4th c CE monastery
- Period
- Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- Nabataean–Christian monks
- Purpose
- Canyon 15 m high dam and Byzantine monastery caves tiered at Ein Avdat gorge
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 100 BCE dam; 4th c CE monastery
Initial construction
c. 1950 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.8300° N · 34.7600° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Ein Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery — Fort Wall Section
wallWall circuit
30.8301° N · 34.7601° EEin Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery — Inner Structure
chamberInner chamber
30.8298° N · 34.7601° EEin Avdat — Nabataean Canyon Dam and Monastery — Quarry Edge
quarryQuarry
30.8304° N · 34.7598° E