Shivta — Pools and Cistern Extension
Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE)·Nabataean–Byzantine desert agriculture·🇮🇱 Southern District, Israel
About
About Shivta — Pools and Cistern Extension
Shivta — Pools and Cistern Extension in Southern District, Israel is a Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE) hydraulic attributed to Nabataean–Byzantine desert agriculture. Desert water collection 8 ha terraced watershed with two large pools 1000 m³ at Shivta. Evenari Shivta desert farming 340 mm rain with runoff terraces and pools.
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 cisterns; Byzantine expansion
- Period
- Nabataean to Byzantine (100 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- Nabataean–Byzantine desert agriculture
- Purpose
- Desert water collection 8 ha terraced watershed with two large pools 1000 m³ at Shivta
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 100 BCE cisterns; Byzantine expansion
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Systematic survey
On the ground
Structures & features
30.8800° N · 34.6300° E · 400 m · 4 mapped features
Shivta — Pools and Cistern Extension — Pool/Cistern
poolOpen pool or subterranean cistern
30.8801° N · 34.6301° EShivta — Pools and Cistern Extension — Aqueduct Channel
channelFeeder channel
30.8798° N · 34.6301° EShivta — Pools and Cistern Extension — Terrace Wall
terraceAgricultural terrace wall
30.8804° N · 34.6298° EShivta — Pools and Cistern Extension — Reservoir
reservoirWater storage
30.8796° N · 34.6299° E