Mampsis

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

Mampsis (Medieval Greek: Μάμψις) or Memphis (Ancient Greek: Μέμφις), today Mamshit (Hebrew: ממשית), Kurnub (Arabic: كرنب), is a former Nabataean caravan stop and Byzantine city. In the Nabataean period, Mampsis was an important station on the Incense Road, connecting Southern Arabia through Edom, the Arabah and Ma'ale Akrabim, to the Mediterranean ports, as well as to Jerusalem via Beersheba and Hebron. The city covers 10 acres (40,000 m²) and is the smallest but best restored ancient city in the Negev Desert. 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.

Ancient living quarters in Mampsis.

The Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev, including Mampsis, Haluza, Avdat, and Shivta, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in June 2005.