For my final cultural artifact post I have chosen another world heritage site that my language instructor visited while he taught me this semester. This site is known as the Incense route in the Negev Desert in Israel. Incense route is the name because the route started from the massive demand around the Middle East for incense that were being sold in modern day Egypt. Many traders would use the route all the time riding camels back and forth from each different kingdom. The site that Michael visited is actually a string of structures in the Negev known to be a trade route in the past. In this area there are many structures that were left over from when the route was used for trade. The history behind the route is extremely intriguing because it was one of the main routes the Judeau kingdom used to trade with the Byzantine empire located right across the present-day border in Petra, Jordan. The site of Petra is one that I have wanted to visit ever since I was a kid and saw the incredible back drop in movies. Nabeatan people, (the individuals apart of the Byzantine empire) routinely traveled this route selling all sorts of unique goods. The photo below taken by Michael is of one of the four fortresses located on the route. The fortresses are known as Kazra, Nekarot, Makhmal, as well as Grafon. It is remarkable to think that this route and the structures located there still exist today. Throughout Israel’s history and all the empires that have come through the territory, the site remains very intact. A nick name for the road is elephant road because supposedly a general brought his army through the rate and an elephant was apart of his battalion. I find this site particularly unique because of how crazy it is to think that trade was conducted this way when today there are massive planes that bring goods all around the world. Michael said this is also what stood out to him, how many people would routinely travel the route to make money for themselves and their families. I think it really speaks to progression and how far humans have come. Routes like these where there was likely so much death and war from traders crossing the area with their goods do not exist today. It is also remarkable to think that traders were able to traverse the route without maps or any way to navigate. Now when hiking people have phones and applications that can simply direct them to wherever they would like with the press of a button. Traders would wander through the scorching hot desert likely not entirely sure where they would end up to sell and buy goods in other empires, that were often hostile. Michael said he drove the stretch and could not imagine what it would be like walking through the desert. When I visit Israel I would like to visit this area but I will surely be driving as well.
Citations: Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Photo Credit: Michael Hibner
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