Rehovot-in-the-Negev

Rehovot-in-the-Negev is an archaeological site located in the central Negev region of Israel, originally founded by the Nabateans in the 1st century CE. By the 5th century CE, during the Byzantine period, it had grown into a bustling city with more than 10,000 residents, largely due to its strategic position on the Arabian incense trade route. The site is characterized by the remains of a significant town or city, reflecting its historical importance. However, a major earthquake in the 7th century CE, which also affected the nearby site of Avdat, led to the city's abandonment. Although once tentatively linked to a biblical well, modern archaeology finds no evidence of occupation before the Roman period.