Archaeoseismological Damage Patterns at the Ancient Ruins at Rehovot-ba-Negev, Israel

A study of ancient ruins at Rehovot-ba-Negev, Israel, reveals evidence of seismic destruction from at least four earthquakes dating back to the 5th century A.D. through the 20th century. Features such as tilted walls, collapsed arches, and wall fissures indicate strong seismic activity with local intensities ranging from VIII to IX on the Mercalli scale. Post-earthquake repairs, including supporting walls and columns, further corroborate these findings. This research aligns with previous studies in nearby Negev desert cities, confirming the region's seismic instability along the Dead Sea transform fault, where strong earthquakes occur approximately every few hundred years.

Korzhenkov, A. M., & Mazor, E. (2017). Archaeoseismological Damage Patterns at the Ancient Ruins at Rehovot-ba-Negev, Israel. Archäologischer Anzeiger, 1. Halbband 2014. https://doi.org/10.34780/0AT4-6147