Negev, the southern desert that covers more than two thirds of the Holy Land, is terra incognita to most Christian pilgrims who visit Israel. Some journey as far south as Eilat to visit the traditional site of Mt. Sinai, but even these travellers usually have no idea that the Negev desert is also worthy of their interest. They are unaware that that desert is rich in history and archaeological remains from its Christian period – that is, from the mid-fourth century to the end of the seventh century. The book is divided into eleven chapters. In Chapter One the author discuss the Nabataean history of the Negev and the Roman annexation of the region. The final chapter reviews the Muslim invasion of the southern desert in the seventh century C.E. and how this impacted the Christian population there, finally causing its disappearance. Chapters Two to Ten deal with each of the major Byzantine settlements that have been excavated, offering a full record of the discoveries concerning Christian archaeology together with pertinent references to ancient texts and local inscriptions. A good number of photographs will illustrate the text.

Prof. Pau Figueras was born in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain), studied philosophy and theology in the monastery of Montserrat, and completed his studies in Bible, archaeology and art history in Italy, Germany and the Middle East. He obtained his PhD on comparative religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1975, and for nearly thirty years taught history, archaeology and art of early Christianity at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel. His recent publications include the books From Gaza to Pelusium (historical geography of North Sinai, Beersheva 2000), Horvat Karkur ‘Illit (final report of the excavation of a Byzantine basilica in the Negev, Beersheva 2004), “The Spirit and the Bride” (an introduction to the history of early Christianity, Jerusalem 2007), and The Pagan Image of Greco-Roman Palestine and Surrounding Lands (a systematic catalogue and explanation of the pagan archaeological remains, Oxford 2013).