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Mampsis (Mamshit)

Also known as Kurnub, Horvat Mamshit

Extensive Ruins

Mampsis (also known as Mamshit and Kurnub) is the only walled city of the Nabateans. It is located on the main road leading from Judea to Petra. Mampsis includes ruins from three periods: Nabatean, Roman and Byzantine. Remains from the Roman period include a military cemetery, Latin inscriptions, and a bronze jug containing over 10,000 silver drachma and tetradrachma.

House of Affluent

Some of the buildings in Mampsis are very large, more than 10,000 square feet (1,000 sq m). Some are two or three stories tall and they were constructed with excellence. These structures demonstrate that the Nabateans were masters of masonry and stone dressing. Mampsis was excavated by Avraham Negev from 1965–73. He found that what looked like a heap of rubble was just the upper story that had collapsed on the lower. As a result, the lower levels were almost left entirely standing. Since the excavations, the site has been extensively reconstructed.

Nilos Church

Two inscriptions in this beautiful mosaic floor mention “Nilos” as the builder. The church was probably built in the late 4th century. This church is smaller than the Eastern Church, but otherwise has the same plan. The inner measurements of this church are 56 x 32 feet (17 x 10 m). The cistern under the church’s courtyard received water from a channel that ran outside the city walls to collect water from the surrounding slopes.

Baptistery

Next to the chapel of the Eastern Church was this baptistery, designed in the shape of a cross. Baptisteries such as this one have been found at other Nabatean cities, including Avdat, Shivta (Soubaita), and Petra.

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Related Websites

Mamshit National Park (Israel Nature & Parks Authority). Describes the site and its history, plus offers information related to making a visit.

Mampsis (Nabataea.net). Briefly introduces the site, its history, and its discovery. Also contains a map of the region and a bibliography.

Mampsis (Virtual World Project). Includes a site map and descriptions of various notable structures.

Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit (Personal Website). Offers some nice photos of the site. Click on “Browse current roll of film” to view the other pictures.

Mamshit (Byzantine St Stephen’s). Provides a chronology of the site and a few pictures.

Byzantine Churches in the Negev (Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs).  Offers good descriptions of the churches at Kurnub (Mampsis), Shivta, and Avdat, with a handful of photographs.

Routes Uncovered: Nabatean Ruins of Mamshit (YouTube). A short video introduction to the site.