Yotvata in the Southern Negev and Its Association with Copper Mining and Trade in the Early Iron Age

Abstract

The Iron I Yotvata “fortress” is situated in the area of the Yotvata Oasis, located in the Arabah Valley in the southern Negev. It was built atop a high, steep hill that faced the oasis and the routes leading to it. The site is surrounded by an irregular case-mate wall. The casemate rooms contained various finds and pottery. Significantly, two pottery vessels of Qurayya Painted Ware, which originate in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula, were found here. The location and character of this site possibly indicates that it was established in order to protect the water sources of the oasis and supervise the nearby crossroad extending along the Arabah Valley. In addition, due to its relative proximity to Timna, it appears that the oasis formed the main source of water and wood supply for the copper mines in Timna, where trees are scarce and water hardly available.