Mampsis

Mampsis

ממשית‎
The Mampsis Church
Shown within Israel
Alternative name	Mamshit Memphis
Location	Southern District,Israel
Region	Negev
Coordinates	31.025°N 35.064°E/31.025; 35.064
Type	Settlement
History
Founded	1st century BCE
Cultures	Nabataean,Roman,Byzantine
Site notes
Condition	In ruins
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev(Haluza,Mamshit,AvdatandShivta)
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, v
Designated	2005(29thsession)
Reference no.	1107
Region	Europe and North America

Mampsis(Medieval Greek:Μάμψις) orMemphis(Ancient Greek:Μέμφις), todayMamshit(Hebrew:ממשית),Kurnub(Arabic:كرنب), is a formerNabataeancaravan stop andByzantinecity. In the Nabataean period, Mampsis was an important station on theIncense Road,connecting Southern Arabia through Edom, theArabahandMa'ale Akrabim,to the Mediterranean ports, as well as toJerusalemviaBeershebaandHebron.The city covers 10 acres (40,000 m²) and is the smallest but best restored ancient city in theNegevDesert. The once-luxurious houses feature unusual architecture not found in any other Nabataean city.

The reconstructed city gives the visitor a sense of how Mampsis once looked. Entire streets have survived intact, and there are also large groups of Nabataean buildings with open rooms, courtyards, and terraces. The stones are carefully chiseled and the arches that support the ceiling are remarkably well constructed.

TheIncense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev,including Mampsis,Haluza,Avdat,andShivta,were declared aWorld Heritage SitebyUNESCOin June 2005.

Name

TheMedieval GreeknameMampsis(Μαμψις) appears on theMadaba mapand in the writings ofChurch Fathers.

TheNegev Naming Committeechose to Hebraize the name as Mamshit (ממשית), with one committee member stating that it is "impossible to leave the name Mampsis because it's a foreign name"; the committee concluded thatMamshitwas the original Hebrew name, which had been distorted by the Greeks.

The name inArabic,Kurnub,is a drink made from camel milk and date honey.

History

Mampsis on theMadaba map

Mampsis was founded in the 1st century BCE as trade post betweenPetraandGaza.Also based on agriculture, it continued to develop over time. When its trade with the Roman occupation waned,the city developed a lucrative trade breeding fine horses, notably, the renownedArabian horse.

The dam that blocks Mampsis river south of the city

In 106, after the city was annexed to the Roman Empire, a Roman garrison was stationed there to guard part of the southern border of the empire and large dams were built around it, two of which have survived to this day.

During the Byzantine period, between the 3rd and 5th centuries BCE, Mampsis received support from the authorities as a frontier city until the time ofJustinian I.When this funding ceased, the city went into decline and had practically ceased to exist by the middle of the 6th century C.E.

Before the founding of the State ofIsrael,Prime Minister to-beDavid Ben-Gurionsaw Mampsis as the capital of the future country,which dovetailed with his dream of settling theNegevDesert.

Research on the site

The site was first mentioned by the archaeologistUlrich Jasper Zatzenin the first decade of the 19th centuryand later in the century it was explored on several occasions. The first thorough survey was conducted by theAlois Musilin 1901. In 1937, the British Foundation for the Investigation of the Land of Israel and its Antiquities conducted another detailed survey of the site, and in 1956-1957, excavations were carried out on behalf of theHebrew Universityand theNational Parks Authority.In 1972 the place was opened for visits.

Discoveries

Two churches were discovered in Mampsis. The western St. Nilus Church has a mosaic floor with colorful geometric patterns, birds, a fruit basket, and five dedications in Greek. The eastern church has a lectern on small marble pillars, the remnants of which can be seen at the site.

Extensive fortified residential compounds featuring a singular entrance were found that were timed to the 2nd century C.E. These complexes incorporated stable yards, storage facilities, and living quarters. Two burial sites were unearthed.

The biggest hoard ever found inIsraelwas discovered in Mampsis, consisting of 10,500 silver coins with a total weight of 72 kg. Other findings include a leadingotwith its foundry markings, a collection of ancient Greek texts onpapyrus,and other objects indicative of wealth.

Gallery

• 
  Mosaic floor of the Church of St. Nilus, Mampsis
• 
  The Guardhouse (left) and Wealthy House (right).
• 
• 

External links

• Mamshit National Park- official site
• Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev,UNESCO
• Pictures of Mamshit archeological findings
• MamshitDetailed track and hiking info fromTourism, trip and travel to Israel