Metzad Mahmal, Archaeological fortification in Negev, Israel
Metzad Mahmal is a fortification perched on the northern cliff of Ramon Crater, containing rooms spread across two floors within a compact structure. The building measures roughly seven meters by six and a half meters and occupies a dramatic rocky position overlooking the surrounding landscape.
The fortification was built in the first century AD as a watchtower to monitor the crucial trade route linking Petra with Mediterranean ports. It served as a key checkpoint for the Nabataean merchants who moved valuable goods across the desert region.
Excavations revealed artifacts including late Nabataean ceramics and Roman coins from the third century AD, showing the presence of different civilizations at the site.
A stone water reservoir is located roughly half a kilometer north of the fortification and could hold about 150 cubic meters of water. Water was collected from the northeast through a drainage system, which allowed the site to operate independently in this dry environment.
The fortification guards one of the narrowest passages along the ancient Incense Route, where the path squeezes to just about one meter wide on a steep cliff. This bottleneck made it the perfect place to monitor and collect taxes on all trade passing through.
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