The Roman-Period Road Network in Southern Moab: A Geographic and Historical Enquiry

ABSTRACT

In recent years, a well-preserved Roman-period road network was explored in southern Moab, descending the steep topographic gradient from the Moabite plateau to the south-eastern Dead Sea region. This network comprises three paved roads—Kathrabba, Kuniyeh and Zoar Ascents—installed according to Roman principles of road construction, sharing features such as minimal width of 4 m, kerbstones and retaining walls, built steps and paved sections. All roads were forced to overcome vertical height differences of 1200–1500 m over a short distance as well as high sub-vertical segments of Nubian sandstone cliffs and massive plutonic rock outcrops. The starting point for all roads was in the southernmost part of Moab, in the vicinity of the modern village of Mu’tah, and they led to three different points along the eastern coast of the southern basin of the Dead Sea. The article explores the geographic and structural traits of the newly discovered road system and delves into its historical context and significance. We argue that this meticulous, labour-intensive enterprise was most probably associated with the decades following the Roman annexation of Nabataea in 106 ce, and more specifically with the suppression of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, during which Jewish communities on both sides of the Dead Sea revolted against Roman rule.

KEYWORDS:

• Southern Moab
• Roman Roads
• Bar Kokhba Revolt
• South-eastern Dead Sea Region
• Provincia Arabia
• Zoar
• Judean Desert

Acknowledgements

The ideas presented in this paper are the result of continuous discussions following excursions to the roads of southern Moab. These excursions and discussions benefited greatly from the participation of numerous friends and colleagues, among them were A. Izdarekhet, A. Kloner, G. Peli, K. D. Politis, D. Amit, S. Ravek and B. Arubas. We are grateful to all.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Geolocation information

Mu'tah – 31⁰ 05’ 20.92” N, 35⁰ 41’ 46.36” E

Notes

1 Alt (1937) suggested that this milestone (as well as no. 186 on Thomsen’s list) was related to the Kathrabba Ascent; this suggestion, however, must be rejected as these two milestones were clearly found on a north-south route stretching along the Moabite plateau, and cannot be associated with a road oriented east-west.

Additional information

Funding

This study was conducted independently of any funding source.

Notes on contributors

Uri Davidovich

Uri Davidovich (PhD. in Archaeology, 2015, The Hebrew University) is a lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His main research interests revolve around landscape and regional archaeology, focusing on the development of complex societies in the southern Levant during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, and on the human exploitation patterns of marginal landscapes, including caves, cliffs and deserts.

Chaim Ben-David

Prof. Chaim Ben David teaches archaeology and history in the Department of Holy Land Studies in the Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee. His research themes include ancient synagogues in the Holy Land, Roman roads and milestones in Israel and Jordan, and settlement patterns in Galilee and Golan during the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Roi Porat

Roi Porat (PhD. Candidate in Archaeology, The Hebrew University) studies the archaeology of the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods in Judea. His research focuses on the time of Herod and the Jewish revolts against Rome in the first and second centuries ce. He also explores the archaeology and history of settlements, forts and caves in the Judean Desert.