Shivta (Subeita, Isbeita)

Shivta North

Shivta North

Shivta North

Shivta South

Shivta South

Shivta South

 

Shivta (Subeita, Isbeita)

Ruins of ancient city in Negev south of the Beersheba-Nizzana road, 9 miles to the west of Sede Boqer.

Originally it was a Nabatean road station, which was apparently built in the 1st century BCE; it reached its prime in the Byzantine Period when it became a transit city for commercial caravans from Egypt northwards, and from the east to the Mediterranean shores and Europe.

The Nabateans also cultivated extensive farming areas based on a special irrigation system which has been discovered in and around Shivta. In 6th century it prospered as a result of heavy pilgrim traffic and was about 400 meters by 300 meters in size.

After the Arab conquest it declined until it was completely abandoned in 12th century. Its building stones remained in situ because of its relative isolation and it was thus better preserved than other ancient Negeb cities.

Its ruins, restored since 1958, include 3 churches, one in the north and two in the south. In front of the northern church is a square and alongside it ruins of a monastery, caravanserai and bathhouse. Alongside one of the southern churches is a 9th-century mosque, streets lined with houses, each with a central courtyard and many with a second storey.

Remains: Around the city are remains of canals, dams and terraces which were built to utilize rainwater for farming. In nearby fields are mounds of flint stones which were probably cleared to allow a free flow of water along the cultivated slopes. A nearby farm has also been restored.

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