ADASR - Ancient Desert Agriculture Systems Revived - click for slide show ADASR - Ancient Desert Agriculture Systems Revived - click for slide show

Photo Image Gallery Smart Search

Here are at least 100 items which respond to your search request,
.

Click for Closeup + Description

This map shows the boundaries of the ancient desert agriculture cover the Northern Negev, the Negev Highlands, some part of the Palestinian Authority south to Gaza and an unknown area in Egypt, between the border with Israel and Wadi el-Arish, ca. 50 km westward. The southern periphery of Israel, the Negev, is an arid desert that does not allow for agricultural activity, mainly due to the poor annual rainfall - 80 mm - considerably less than the 200 mm minimal amount required to grow grains. Remote view of the Negev Highlands. The southern periphery of Israel, the Negev, is an arid desert that does not allow for agricultural activity, mainly due to the poor annual rainfall - 80 mm - considerably less than the 200 mm minimal amount required to grow grains. Camels drink and are suited to this region of minimal water resources. Despite the environmental constraints, the entire area of the Negev has an abundance of remnants from ancient desert agriculture, which are a dominant element in the landscape. Shivta, a well preserved ancient tower, included in the large-scale settlement of the Negev Desert. Avdat, a well preserved ancient tower, included in the large-scale settlement of the Negev Desert. Several thousand km of wadis terraced by stone walls (10-100 m. long and up to 2 m. high) accumulate soil appropriate for agricultural cultivation. The total length of the terraced wadis in the Negev Highlands alone - not including the areas that were recently discovered in the Beersheva Valley - is estimated at several thousand km. and the area of the soil that has accumulated there is estimated at 350,000 dunam. The terraced wadis constitute the solution for the limitation of agriculture caused by the scarcity of cultivatable land. Farmhouses are located near the terraced wadis. The number of the farmhouses is estimated in thousands. Farmhouses are located near the terraced wadis. The number of the farmhouses is estimated in thousands. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including this rock cistern, where a detailed inscription can be seen up close. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including this ancient threshing floor, across which present day Bedouins lead their camels. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including many wine presses such as this one. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including many wine presses, such as this restored wine press in Avdat. The divided areas are thought to have been used to separate different farmers' stores of grapes while waiting to use the press to the left. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including channels, used to harvest runoff rain water from mountain slopes. The system of channels, directing runoff rainwater from a large area to the terraced wadis, constitutes the solution to the limitation caused by the poor rainfall. The total amount of rainfall channeled to the wadis is about 400 mm, about five times more than the general amount of rainfall - although this did not solve the problem of drought and the unstable rainfall regime. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including channels, used to harvest runoff rain water from mountain slopes, as shown in this diagram. The system of channels, directing runoff rainwater from a large area to the terraced wadis, constitutes the solution to the limitation caused by the poor rainfall. The total amount of rainfall channeled to the wadis is about 400 mm, about five times more than the general amount of rainfall - although this did not solve the problem of drought and the unstable rainfall regime. An enormous number of agricultural installations have been found in association with the agricultural systems, including Tuleilat el Anab (grape mounds in Arabic). These are enigmatic fields of stone heaps (measuring 1 m. in diameter and .30 m. in height), some of which span an area several sq/ km. The prevailing assumption is that they were intended to enhance the flow of run-off water into agricultural terraces. A farm from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Century C. E.) at Nitzana, restored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL). A fruit plantation exploits the agricultural soil in the restored farm. The upper right is the Nitzana education center. The upper left is a lake fed by water floods in the area, planned by the Jewish National Fund. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) A farm from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Century C. E.) at Nitzana, restored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL). A repaired water channel directs run-off water from the slopes to the terraced wadi. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) A farm from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Century C. E.) at Nitzana, restored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL) includes a reconstructed wall of the ancient terraces. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) At a farm from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Century C. E.) at Nitzana, restored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL), young trees are planted. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) 10 year-old trees in a restored farm from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Century C. E.) at Nitzana, restored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL). (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Mapping the agricultural systems with G.P.S. The white hill at the upper left is the ancient town of Nitzana. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Four meter wide wall terracing a wadi. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Terraced wadi at the restored farm near Nitzana. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Mapping the restored farm. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Wall surrounding a terraced wadi. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Ruins of a farmhouse from the Byzantine Period (5-7th Centuries C. E.) watching the agricultural terraces below. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Ruins of a farmhouse from the Early Islamic Period (7-8th Centuries C. E.). Notice the terraced wadi marked by the green line of bushes. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Typical erosion in a terraced wadi. Nitzana Archaeological Survey: Map of the Nitzana survey. Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: Aerial photograph of Tuleilat el-Anab field near Nitzana. (Photo provided courtesy of Ofek Aerial Photography Ltd.) Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: Tuleilat el Anab were assumed to improve the efficiency of run-off rain water to the agricultural terraces in the wadi - (upper right, marked by the rich vegetation). Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: A single mound up to 1 meter in diameter and 0.4 meter in height. Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: excavators study this enigmatic feature. Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: Cutting through one of the mounds. Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: Archaeological section in one of the mounds. Excavating Tuleilat el Anab ("grape mounds" in Arabic) at Nitzana: Soil sampling in the terraced wadi below the Tuleilat el-Anab field. A stone wall can be seen at left. Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: The plantation in the end of the summer. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Preparations to winter - burning the bushes. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Winter rainstorm - runoff water. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Runoff rainwater directed by channels to the terraces. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: View of the plantation irrigated by the runoff rain water. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: View of the plantation irrigated by the runoff rain water. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Early spring - new grass growing between the trees. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Early spring - new grass growing between the trees. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Maintainence of the Restored Byzantine Farm at Nitzana: Model of an ancient farm to demonstrate the mechanism of runoff rainwater irrigation. (Photo provided courtesy of Tom Amit.) Field lecture at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Class of students on top of the ruin at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Field lecture at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Measuring the water cisterns at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Field lecture at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Measuring the ancient agricultural terrace at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Surveying around the water cistern at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Class on top of the Byzantine ruin at Ofaqim. Located 20 kilometers northwest of Beer Sheva, this is the Merchavim School. Students here are shown measuring and surveying an ancient agricultural site from the Byzantine Period, which consists of ruins of a farm house and several water cisterns and an ancient agricultural terrace. Measuring the ruins at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the ruins at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. General area of the Shuval site in early spring. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the water cistern at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the farm house at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the farm house at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the farm house at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Measuring the farm house at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Working on a water cistern at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. Working on a water cistern at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. General area of the site at Shuval. Located 30 kilometers north of Beer Sheva, there is an environmental school Meevoot Ha'Negev. The county school is located in the kibbutz serving the whole community with a strong emphasis on the environment. This activity took place at an ancient ruin, an Ottoman farm house located near a Byzantine ruin. The ancient remains include the ruin of the ancient farm house and a water cistern. General view of excavated farm house at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. General view of excavated farm house at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. General view of excavated farm house at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. General view of excavated farm house at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Terraces of an ancient farm at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Ancient terrace in Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) Survey done by doctoral student Jessie Pincus of Bar Ilan University in association with Mnemotrix Systems, Inc. at the excavated farm at Avdat, for the purpose of analyzing the moisture retention and content of the soil, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Ancient terrace in Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) Survey done by doctoral student Jessie Pincus of Bar Ilan University in association with Mnemotrix Systems, Inc. at the excavated farm at Avdat, for the purpose of analyzing the moisture retention and content of the soil, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. New crack of erosion of ancient terrace from flooding at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Excavated farm house at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. More terraces in the excavated farm at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Terraces in the excavated farm at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Water cistern at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 9th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. General view of the excavations at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. General view of the excavations at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Excavated structure at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. More terraces at Avdat, March 2005. Avdat is an important Nabatean and Byzantine site in the Negev surrounded by ancient desert farms from the 5th to the 8th centuries CE. The area was surveyed and excavated by the environmental school of Sde Boker. The 2005 activities included surveying and excavation of one farm house by the environmental school of Sde Boker, located 15 kilometers north of Avdat. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen. Mitzpe Ramon region, Makhteshim Country in the Negev desert, south of Avdat. Photograph provided courtesy of Moshe Kotzen.

Number of Records Shown: 100

Next 100

  powered by
Mnemotrix Systems, Inc.