Avdat lies in the central Negev highlands and is a testimony of an ancient culture that has since disappeared. This ancient people were the Nabateans. The Nabateans left many symbols throughout the Negev desert that are clues of their mysterious way of life. This way of life included camel-carrying caravans full of myrrh, frankincense, and other precious material from the regions of Yemen to the Gaza port along what is called "The Spice Route." They built secret cisterns and outposts throughout the desert that helped them live this nomadic lifestyle. These secrets were probably carried down from father to son. Although rarely mentioned in any major event in the Old Testament or the New Testament, the Nabateans were a major part that made up the landscape of Israel during the Greco-Roman period.
The New Testament also alludes to the Nabateans when John the Baptist prophetically rebukes Herod Antipas divorce from a Nabatean princess in order to marry his niece Herodias. This move literally cost John the Baptist his head (Mark 6:25). The Apostle Paul also fled for his life from a Nabatean king who waited at the city gates to arrest him (2 Corinthians 11:32-22). We later know that what is called the "Nabatean kingdom" became Hellenized and its desert outposts became some of the most luxurious Roman and Byzantine desert cities. This process of Hellenization led to the disappearance of the Nabatean dynasty, people and their mysterious way of life.
In Avdat the rich Nabatean culture comes alive. It is named after the Nabatean king and god, Obdat, who is also believed to be buried at this site. After watching a brief movie on the Nabateans and the spice route, you will see ruins from the 1st century BCE in the original Nabatean community with a caravan outpost. Also at Avdat are two beautiful churches and a monastery from the Byzantine period. Cave dwellings as well as venues known to a modern Roman acropolis are easily identified throughout the area.
