Stops on the Incense Road   Gaza(Jenysos) Elusa Ruheiba Obodat Wadi Fiqreh Wadi Arabah Sela Rekem, (Petra) Ayl Gryn Hawara Wadi Rumm Al Uyaynah Northern Desert Trek Tayma Meda'in Saleh Dedan Khaybar Medina Southern Desert Trek Najran Sa'ada Yathul Marib (Saba) Timna (Qatraban) Shibam(Hadramaut) Ubar   Further Information Camels The Incense Sea Route

Wadi Rumm The picture above was taken by Greg Fisher, (Humeima Exp.98,02). A Nabataean settlement was discovered in Wadi Rumm by G. Horsfield and excavated by himself in the early 1930s. Later in May 1959 D. Kirkbride conducted another excavation. In 1962 the Department of Antiquities began a large-scale clearing operation, exposing more than 2800 square meters of antiquities. However, an earthquake in 1995 caused the area severe damage. The ruins in Wadi Rumm include a temple, several villas, and building complexes.  Within the construction materials of the Nabataean temple was a stone that was reused from a previous structure. This stone contained a Thamudic inscription referring to the construction of a sanctuary for Lat. The main Nabataean temple was erected around the first century BC. A Latin inscription was attached to an alter, indicating that the temple was in use in the first half of the third century.   Inscriptions around the temple and at the springs were left by various workmen, masons, sculptors and architects. Wadi Rumm (Iram) is first mentioned by Cl. Ptolemaeus in his list of cities in Arabia Felix. (Aramava-Geogr., 6.7.27). Above the site, on Rumm Mountain are several natural springs. From these springs Nabataean aqueducts carried water down to two cisterns. A second canal system came from Ayn Abu Rumayleh, down through the temple hillside to the eastern complex and its baths.