Six milestone stations and new inscriptions discovered in the Negev along the Petra-Gaza Incense Route

Archaeologists have uncovered six milestone stations and four inscribed milestones along the lost segment of the ancient Petra-Gaza Incense Route in the Negev Desert, bridging a 7 km gap previously identified by Zeev Meshel and Yoram Tsafrir. These inscriptions represent the first dated texts from the incense route in the region, offering new insights into Nabataean trade networks and historical chronology. The discovery was made during a winter survey in 2018, confirming the scholars' earlier hypothesis about the road's continuity despite the absence of visible remains along the presumed path.

David, C. B., & Isaac, B. (2020). Six milestone stations and new inscriptions discovered in the Negev along the Petra-Gaza Incense Route. Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 152(3), 234–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/00310328.2019.1694789