The Nabateans accumulated great wealth from their trade in what was then costly perfumes and spices from East Africa and Arabia which they transported by camel caravans to the southern Mediterranean coast, with Gaza serving as the main depot and port.
Avdat (Hebrew: עבדת), also known as Ovdat or Obodat is an ancient city in the Negev (south Israel), very near Mizpe-Ramon city and Sde-Boker kibbutz (about 10 minutes by car). It is situated on top of a hill, and was the most important historic city on the Incense Route after Petra between the 7th century BCE and the 1st century BCE. It was inhabited by Nabateans, Romans and Byzantines.
Avdat was a seasonal camping ground for Nabatean caravans traveling along the early Petra – Gaza road (Darb es-Sultan) in the 3rd – late 2nd century BCE. Avdat was named for Nabatean King Obodas I, who was revered as a deity and, according to tradition, was buried there.
Avdat was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in June 2005.
It was also a filming location for the film “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
Avdat was founded in the 1st century BCE and named after the Nabatean King Obodas
Visitors center
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