Mamshit

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The only walled city in the Negev Frescos from 2 thousand years ago
Closets A dead place
We heard so much about the Nabataeans (an Arabic people who lived in the Negev) during our journeys that one member of the team took a side trip to the city of Mamshit. That eastern site, near Dimona, was one of a chain of cities that linked Petra to Gaza for a rich trade route.

The extremely successful shepherding of water resources (less than 2" annually) led to a desert civilization not yet surpassed. A thousand years of habitation ended abruptly with the Arab conquest of 1300 years ago.

The Main Gate
A Nabataean Lock
Frescos from 2 thousand years ago
Hot air pipe for warming changing room
Granary
Water coursed openly through every home
Frescos from 2 thousand years ago
A Palace
Yes, A Dedication to the Donor 2 inches of Annual Rain, and they had an Olympic Pool!
The only inhabitant of Mamshit
Splendid Mosaics from an Early Church Graffiti of the Arab Conquerors