Nabatean Tent Sites on the Ruhot Plain, Central Negev, and Nomadic Visibility

Research on Nabatean tent sites in the Ruhot Plain, Central Negev, reveals a lesser-known pastoral nomadic component of Nabatean society that contrasts with the established caravan route and urban centers. Analysis of architectural, geographic, and ceramic data from four sites shows these campsites differ significantly from those linked to the classic Incense Road, offering insights into the nomadic lifestyle of the Nabateans. The study compares these findings with earlier Timnian and later Byzantine/Early Islamic desert pastoral systems, as well as modern desert societies, providing a unique perspective on the archaeology of pastoral camps, often considered inaccessible.

Margulis, M., & Rosen, S. A. (2025). Nabatean Tent Sites on the Ruhot Plain, Central Negev, and Nomadic Visibility. Bulletin of the American Society of Overseas Research, 393, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1086/734106