Since
earliest times, major roads crossed the region, but
the Incense Route that led from Oman and Yemen,
through the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean
Sea was of the greatest significance. Entering the
region from the plateau of eastern Jordan, then
crossing through the desert cities of the Negev,
the route extended over more than 2,400 kilometres.
It was used primarily by the Nabateans between the
third century BCE and the third century CE for the
transfer of luxury goods such as myrrh and
frankincense, as well as spices, jewelry, silver,
gold and fine fabric.
Two prominent settlements on the road were
Ovdat/‘Abda and Petra. Petra in the southern part
of Jordan was quarried and built from the local red
sandstone, and served as the impressive capital
city of the Nabateans. The city was one of the most
important commercial stations of the time.
Impressive remains were found over a large area
including streets, temples, palaces and funerary
monuments. Ovdat/‘Abda, in the Negev region,
developed from a small commercial station into a
semi-urban settlement. Near the end of the route
was the entrepot of Antidon, which forwarded much
of the merchandise that passed through the
continental path to the great harbour city of Gaza,
thus contributing significantly to Gaza’s
historical wealth and importance.
As noted in its World Heritage statement of
significance, the Incense Route is inscribed as a
unique example of a commercial and cultural route
on a global scale that served as an important
channel for ideas, innovation, technology and
information.
Throughout
the ages, the sites recorded in Biblical and
Islamic texts have drawn pilgrims seeking to visit
the places where miracles took place or to walk in
the footsteps of prophets. For the adherents of
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, our region was a
Holy Land that was and continues to be an important
destination with numerous sites linked by routes
that became historical itineraries in their own
right. These routes were demarcated by a series of
stations and holy sites where pilgrims would gather
for worship and rest.
For oversea visitors to the region, particularly
Jewish and Christian pilgrims, a major point of
entry was the port of Jaffa. From there the road
would take visitors through the hills to Jerusalem,
a holy city to all of the Abrahamic traditions and
a magnet for pilgrims from around the world.
From Jerusalem, Jewish pilgrims would continue down
to Jericho and the River Jordan and onwards to the
sanctuary of Moses on Mount Nebo. Christians would
follow the same route from Jerusalem to Bethany and
then to Jericho, crossing the Jordan the site of
Jesus' baptism at Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the
eastern bank. Similarly, Muslim pilgrims would
descend from Jerusalem into the Jordan Valley, to
visit tombs of Venerable Companions of the Prophet
Mohammed. Then they would continue towards the
Arabian Desert on route to the Islamic holy cities
of Mecca and Medina via Hajj stations, such as
Qatranah station located east of Karak.
