Mamshit

Mamshit National Park is one of the most unique Nabatean sites along The Incense Route. The Incense Route was an important and well known commercial road in the ancient world, using for transporting perfumes, fabrics, silk and other goods. It begins in Yemen, passing through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Negev up until the Mediterranean Coastline in Gaza's Port. The Route functioned for 700 years, from 3 th century B.C.E to the 4 th century C.E. 65 Kilometer of The Incense Route from Moa (on the Israeli Arava) to Avdat in the Negev (including Mamshit) was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 2005. Mamshit's name derives from the Roman name of the settlement "Mampsis", its Arab name may have Nabatean roots and is called Cornove, meaning some kind of beverage made of milk, honey and date palm. Mamshit is located approximately seven kilometers east of Dimona, on the main road to Eilat. It is situated on one of the important branches of the Incense Route - on the junction of the main roads that linked Petra with the Hebron mountains and the coastal plain. This link was made by two different roads, the first one passed through Tamara (Hatzeva) and the Scorpions Ascent. The second path leads from the Transjordan through the Dead Sea passing the Tamar Ascent and Tamar Fort. The Nabatean settlement in Mamshit begins as a small and humble village during the first century C.E. that used mainly as a Khan- Road station for camel caravans. The discover of the Khan's remaining, including, a giant tent for hospitality and special events, toilets, showers, lighting and cooking facilities approves that Mamshit functioned as an important Road station at this time. During the 2 th century C.E the Nabatean settlement were severely damaged by a powerful earthquake that even damaged Petra and other settlements in the area. the earthquake occurred around the annexation of the Nabatean kingdom by the Roman Empire (106 C.E).