(BAR -S420, 1988)

This book presents a study and catalogue of the early Christian stone architectural decorations from the Negev Desert (Israel). This work is based on the largest sample of decorated architectural elements from the Byzantine Negev (4th–7th century CE) to have been comparatively studied. The analysis provides a key for the characteristics of these aniconic, carved decorations, and an in-depth examination of their symbolic meaning.

This book presents a complementary synthesis of the newest research on the Negev Desert (Israel) in the Byzantine period (363-640 AD) including a holistic analysis of archaeological reports, historical sources, and field surveys with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The contextualization of settlement trends in the region reveals the subjectivity of some of earlier theories, which means that the study uses models developed as part of the French École des Annales discussion on the concept of long duration. Looking at the evolution of settlement from a regional and transregional perspective, through the prism of the cycle of behavioural domains, revealed a positive aspect of the transformation of society and settlement space: that the individual and community are able to resist and get out of difficult circumstances. The study also uses the paradigm of the rise and fall of cultures; in light of this, the long-term changes taking place in late antiquity appear to consist of relatively long periods of settlement expansion and short, sudden breakdowns.

Negev, the southern desert that covers more than two thirds of the Holy Land, is terra incognita to most Christian pilgrims who visit Israel. Some journey as far south as Eilat to visit the traditional site of Mt. Sinai, but even these travellers usually have no idea that the Negev desert is also worthy of their interest. They are unaware that that desert is rich in history and archaeological remains from its Christian period – that is, from the mid-fourth century to the end of the seventh century. The book is divided into eleven chapters. In Chapter One the author discuss the Nabataean history of the Negev and the Roman annexation of the region. The final chapter reviews the Muslim invasion of the southern desert in the seventh century C.E. and how this impacted the Christian population there, finally causing its disappearance. Chapters Two to Ten deal with each of the major Byzantine settlements that have been excavated, offering a full record of the discoveries concerning Christian archaeology together with pertinent references to ancient texts and local inscriptions. A good number of photographs will illustrate the text.

Chapters by leading archaeologists in Israel and the Levant explore themes and sites connected with cities and villages from the Hellenistic to early Islamic periods across the region. The result is a rich trove of up-to-date data and insights that will be a must read for scholars and students active in this part of the ancient Mediterranean world.