by Christin Engstrom (Summer 2000 Field School)
Chronology of Mamshit:
| 4th C BCE | Mamshit founded by Nabateans. Last built of six Nabatean cities in Negev on the trade route between Petra, Avdat and Gaza. |
| 106 CE | Nabatean King Rabel II succeeded by direct Roman rule. Focus of Mamshit economy shifts from trade route to horse breeding. |
| ~284 CE | Diocletian builds defensive wall around Mamshit, Mamshit becomes outpost on Arabian Frontier. |
| 2nd -3rd C CE | Late Nabatean/late Roman Frescos painted in Building XII. |
| Mid-4th C CE | Byzantines build East and West Churches. |
| 378 CE | Romans lose battle of Adrianople, begin draining soldiers from Arabian frontier. |
| 530 CE | Justinian becomes Emperor. Limitanei (frontier troops) go into accelerated decline. |
| 541 CE | Plague in Negev. Mamshit possibly already deserted. |
| ~550 CE | Mamshit appears on Madaba map. |
| 636 CE | Muslim conquest |
Text coming soon...
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Christin Engstrom near mosaics in Nilus church. |