Verified30.5800° N · 34.9000° E · 650 m
Gaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower
Nabataean–Roman (50 BCE–300 CE)·Nabataean·🇮🇱 Southern District, Israel
About
About Gaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower
Gaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower in Southern District, Israel is a Nabataean–Roman (50 BCE–300 CE) fortress attributed to Nabataean. Watchtower 8 m diameter on ridge 2 km north of Saharonim at making desert ramp. Ridge tower guarding ascent from Arava to Negev highlands.
Why it mattersKey Nabataean 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. 50 BCE
- Period
- Nabataean–Roman (50 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Nabataean
- Purpose
- Watchtower 8 m diameter on ridge 2 km north of Saharonim at making desert ramp
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 50 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1950 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.5800° N · 34.9000° E · 650 m · 3 mapped features
Gaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower — Fort Wall Section
wallWall circuit
30.5801° N · 34.9001° EGaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower — Inner Structure
chamberInner chamber
30.5798° N · 34.9001° EGaza Road Ridge — Saharonim Spur Tower — Quarry Edge
quarryQuarry
30.5804° N · 34.8998° E