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Judean Desert

Dead Sea at Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi is an ancient settlement of the Trib of Judeah near the shores of the Dead Sea that is famous for its springs and waterfalls. It is here that David is supposed to have fled from King Saul.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. The minerals from this salt lake are supposed to help relieve skin disorders, and are sold to improve the complexion. The high salt content of the lake cause the would be swimmer to float The mud found on the lakeshore is rubbed onto the body to create a mudbath treatment for the skin.

Bedouin Camp

The Bedouin are the nomadic people of the middle-eastern deserts. they live in tents made of woven goats' hair, and live, as they have for centuries, by the laws of Moses. They are a warm, hospitable people who raise camels, sheep and goats.

Judean Desert

The Judean Desert extends from Jerusalem in the north to the Negev Desert on the south, and runs to the west of the Dead Sea. It is homes to places like Qumran, Hebron, Masada and Ein Gedi.

Qumran

The ruins of the settlement of Qumran are found in the Great Rift Valley of the Judean Desert. Qumran flourished bgetween 150 BC and 68 AD. It was the secluded community of the Essenes, a religious group who exiled themselves to this secluded place to wait for the coming of the Lord. Qumran overlooks the Dead Sea. In 1947 a young Bedouin boy discovered ancient manuscripts in these caves. Roland de Vaux and a team of archeologists excavated the caves and ruins and discovered human remains and the Dead Sea Scrolls (biblical texts) written on leather, papyrus and copper. The scrolls are now in the Shrine of the Rock Museum in Jersusalem.

Jars from Qumran

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found stored in these and other jars like these. These jars are in the museum on the Almag Kibbutz near Qumran. The scrolls are in the Shrine of the Rock Museum in Jerusalem.

Masada

Masada was one of the greatest fortresses ever built. It is situtated on this mesa overlooking the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Masada was build by Herod the Great, and houses his palaces. When the Jewish people, lead by Eleazar be Yair revolted against the Romans they held out at Masada for three years. Finally, rather that be captured the 967 inhabitants of Masada committed mass suicide so that they could die as free men.

Tram to Masada

Built by the Swiss, this cable car carries tourists to Masada.

Entrance to Masada

This door leads to the steps to the cable car landing.

Masada

Excavation

Herod's Storehouses

Masada was a thriving community with storehouses, baths, public meeting places, palaces, stores, houses, synagogue, cisterns.... Beyond the storehouses you can see the Judean Desert below.

Herod's Palace

Herod had two palaces at Masada.

Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace

Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace

Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace

	Dead Sea at Ein Gedi Ein Gedi is an ancient settlement of the Trib of Judeah near the shores of the Dead Sea that is famous for its springs and waterfalls. It is here that David is supposed to have fled from King Saul. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. The minerals from this salt lake are supposed to help relieve skin disorders, and are sold to improve the complexion. The high salt content of the lake cause the would be swimmer to float The mud found on the lakeshore is rubbed onto the body to create a mudbath treatment for the skin.
Bedouin Camp The Bedouin are the nomadic people of the middle-eastern deserts. they live in tents made of woven goats' hair, and live, as they have for centuries, by the laws of Moses. They are a warm, hospitable people who raise camels, sheep and goats.
	Judean Desert The Judean Desert extends from Jerusalem in the north to the Negev Desert on the south, and runs to the west of the Dead Sea. It is homes to places like Qumran, Hebron, Masada and Ein Gedi.
Qumran The ruins of the settlement of Qumran are found in the Great Rift Valley of the Judean Desert. Qumran flourished bgetween 150 BC and 68 AD. It was the secluded community of the Essenes, a religious group who exiled themselves to this secluded place to wait for the coming of the Lord. Qumran overlooks the Dead Sea. In 1947 a young Bedouin boy discovered ancient manuscripts in these caves. Roland de Vaux and a team of archeologists excavated the caves and ruins and discovered human remains and the Dead Sea Scrolls (biblical texts) written on leather, papyrus and copper. The scrolls are now in the Shrine of the Rock Museum in Jersusalem.
	Jars from Qumran The Dead Sea Scrolls were found stored in these and other jars like these. These jars are in the museum on the Almag Kibbutz near Qumran. The scrolls are in the Shrine of the Rock Museum in Jerusalem.
Masada Masada was one of the greatest fortresses ever built. It is situtated on this mesa overlooking the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Masada was build by Herod the Great, and houses his palaces. When the Jewish people, lead by Eleazar be Yair revolted against the Romans they held out at Masada for three years. Finally, rather that be captured the 967 inhabitants of Masada committed mass suicide so that they could die as free men.
	Tram to Masada Built by the Swiss, this cable car carries tourists to Masada.
Entrance to Masada This door leads to the steps to the cable car landing.
	Masada Excavation
Herod's Storehouses Masada was a thriving community with storehouses, baths, public meeting places, palaces, stores, houses, synagogue, cisterns.... Beyond the storehouses you can see the Judean Desert below.
	Herod's Palace Herod had two palaces at Masada.
Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace
	Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace
Mosaic Tile Floor in Herod's Palace