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The Frankincense Road is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Israel, consisting of four ancient cities: Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat, and Shivta. It was part of a larger trade route that connected Egypt, the Middle East, India, and East Africa. The route declined in the 2nd century due to direct sea trade with India. The cities feature impressive design and construction, including irrigation systems, architecture, and defensive forts. Mamshit is home to the largest treasure found in Israel. Shivta and Avdat are well-preserved sites with historic buildings and views of the surrounding countryside. The Negev Heights also offer other interesting places to visit.
The Frankincense Road, also known as the Desert City in the Negev, is a collection of ancient cities in present-day Israel. The Frankincense Route is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been since 2005. The four cities included in the Frankincense Route are Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta. Besides the desert cities in the Negev, another major UNESCO site that falls along the historic trade route is the Frankincense Trail, located in present-day Oman.
The entire incense route was a large collection of routes that passed from Egypt through the Middle East and India. From about the 3rd century BC, robust trade arose between the Middle East, India, East Africa and the Mediterranean. The Frankincense Route served as a lifeline linking Indian silks and spices with African woods and Arabian gold and myrrh and frankincense.
The Incense Route flourished until the 2nd century, when it began to be used less and less frequently. This was the result not of a reduction in trade but rather of an increase in the desire on the part of the Greeks and Romans to have direct trade with India. This led to the reopening of an ancient sea route during the reign of Ptolemy II, and a gradual diminution of the land route, although it remained in use for the following centuries.
The four cities that are part of the UNESCO Incense Route are all fascinating ruins due to the refinement evident in their design and construction. Cities were built to control the desert, and the enormous wealth that passed through them was dispersed to create ornate irrigation systems, beautiful architecture and tile work, and massive defensive forts.
The largest treasure discovered in Israel was found in Mamshit, one of the four cities of the Frankincense Route. It consisted of more than 10,000 silver coins and was found together with a large body of papyrus texts.
Desert cities in the Negev are located in the highlands of the Negev in Israel and are quite spread out. It is possible to travel by bus between settlements, but many people find they have the energy to visit only one or two of the sites. Shivta, also known as Sobata, is one of the best preserved sites and contains ruins of several different buildings, including three distinct Byzantine churches. An old wine press is also a highlight of Shivta.
Avdat, while not well preserved, is a much larger site than Shivta. It is located on the top of a hill, offering an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. There is a Nabataean-style house that has been rebuilt to give a glimpse of what it would have looked like historically.
In addition to the Frankincense Route sites, the Negev Heights offers a number of other excellent places to visit. There are some interesting historic oases, such as Ein Zik, a sizeable part of the relatively new wine route, and the Ramon Craters. Overall, although out of the way, the Frankincense Road offers a great opportunity to see fairly well preserved desert ruins.
