Judean Desert
Hilly desert region on Israel’s eastern boundary. Bordered by Judean Hills in west, Dead Sea and Lower Jordan Valley to the east, Samarian Hills to the north and the Negev Hills to the south. It is about 100 km. long and 20 km. wide. Composed of hilly escarpments that descend from west to east, from a height of 1,000 meters above sea level to 400 meters below sea level.
In spite of harsh climate and soil conditions the Judean Desert was settled during the Chalcolithic Period and throughout most of the history of the land. During the period of the Israelite conquest the Bible mentions six cities in this area: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, Nibshan, City of Salt and En-gedi. During the Hasmonean Period and Herod’s time a number of fortresses were built in the Judean Desert to protect Jerusalem: Herodium, Hureqanya, Alexandrium, Cypros, Dagon, Aristobulias and Masada.
The Judean Desert also served as a natural hideaway for rebels, fugitives and hermits who could find shelter in the many dry stream beds and the many caves in the area. Discoveries were made in a number of the caves that attested to communities of the Essene sect living here during the late Second Temple Period (the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls), and to the flight of the Jewish fighters to caves during the Bar Kokhba Revolt (documents, coins, utensils and human skeletons). During the Byzantine Period the Judean Desert accommodated isolated monasteries (Mar Saba and St. Theodosius) and hermit hideouts.
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea” (Matthew 3:1)
