Archaeology and Material Culture of Nabataea and the Nabataeans

Nabataean civilization, centered in Petra, thrived as a wealthy Arab kingdom controlling vital trade routes from Arabia to the Mediterranean and Egypt. Their mastery of stone-cutting and pottery production, particularly during the Roman era, allowed them to dominate international markets with exquisite ceramic vessels and perfumed oils. As a client state under Augustus, their prosperity persisted even after Roman annexation in 106 CE, maintaining economic influence until the 3rd century CE. Their written language, Aramaic, laid foundational linguistic groundwork for modern Arabic. This study synthesizes archaeological evidence and material culture to illuminate Nabataea's geopolitical significance, economic strategies, and cultural legacy in the southern Levant.

Erickson-Gini, T. (2021). Archaeology and Material Culture of Nabataea and the Nabataeans. Oxford Bibliographies in Biblical Studies. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780195393361-0282