Yotvata

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Jotvata (also Yotvata, Hebrew יטבתה ) is a kibbutz in the Israeli Aravasenke. It is located in the southern Negev near the Jordanian border, about 40 kilometers north of Eilat, and has about 700 inhabitants.

Modern place

Jotvata was initially established in 1951 as a military settlement, later today kibbutz emerged from it. The settlement is located on a strong source of the same name that is mentioned in the Bible ( " a land with streams of water ," Deut 10.7 EU).

Main economic activity of the kibbutz are the dairy industry with a milk- processing plant, and tourism. Nearby Jotvatas the zoo Chai Bar Jotvata was established. This zoo provides a habitat for animals that were native to the area in biblical times, and forms the basis for their resettlement in Israel ( see also Animals in the Bible).

Archeology

The good water supply of the town allowed a settlement since at least the Iron Age. From 2003 to 2007 took place under the leadership of Gwyn Davies ( Florida International University) and Jodi Magness ( University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ) excavations were carried out.

Near the sources of the remains of a two-storey, fully stone-built building were discovered. The accompanying ceramic covers the period from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. It consists of Hellenistic, Nabataean and early Roman sherds. The building was destroyed by an earthquake at the beginning of the 2nd century.

A nabatäisches building was about 500 meters demonstrated 30 × 35 meters, possibly the temple Ad Dianem equivalent, which is listed on the Tabula Peutingeriana.

One kilometer south-west of the kibbutz at the foot of the hills of the Negev, a late Roman fort was excavated. It measures the outside about 40 feet square and had a tower at each corner. An inscription, in particular the construction around the year 300, it was equipped with a bathroom, that alone is very large for the garrison. Maybe it was also travelers. After an initial destruction by fire, the castle had three phases. It was abandoned at about 370-380.

The architectural remains were crossed in 1958 by the construction of an oil pipeline and severely damaged.

In the 5th century, the castle was again used by the Byzantines for a while. Recently there was an early Islamic settlement phase in the late 6th or early 7th century.