"One of Nabatean Settlements in the Negev" Horbat Mamshit by FruitLover

Mamshit National Park is situated 7 kms east to Dimona, alongside the main road to Eilat. Within the park - which includes Mamshit Stream and its antique dams - lies the ancient Roman- Nabatean city of Mamshit, known to the Greeks as 'Mampsis' and to the Arabs as 'Kurnub'.

Geographically that's the intersection of 2 timeworn roads leading from the Mediterranean shore to Mt. Hebron, then onward to the Arava and the Dead-Sea, Petra and the Gulf of Eilat.

The first permanent settlement arose here on the 1st century CE, when Nabatean Kingdom came under Roman hegemony.

During the Byzantine period, 2 churches were built, which continued to be used until the Arab conquest in the 7th century CE, after which the city ceased to exist.