Shivta

Shivta (Hebrew: שבטה), originally Sobata (Greek: Σόβατα) or Subeita (Arabic: شبطا), is an ancient city in the Negev Desert of Israel located 43 kilometers southwest of Beersheba. Shivta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2005, as part of the Incense Route and the Desert Cities of the Negev, together with Haluza/Elusa, Avdat and Mamshit/Mampsis.

Shivta
שבטה
شبطا
Shivta's southern church
Shown within Israel
Alternative namepossibly Shubitu (Nabataean), Sobota (ancient Greek), Subeita and Isbeita (Arabic).
LocationSouthern District, Israel
RegionNegev
Coordinates30.88°N 34.63°E / 30.88; 34.63
TypeSettlement
History
Abandoned8th/9th century
CulturesNabataean, Byzantine
Site notes
Excavation dates1933-1934
ConditionIn ruins
Official nameIncense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev (Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta)
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, v
Designated2005 (29th session)
Reference no.1107
RegionEurope and North America

The name Shivta is a modern Hebraization, given by the Negev Naming Committee in the early 1950s. The Greek name Sobata was mentioned in the Nessana papyri.

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