- Ports and Stops on the
- Maritime
Incense Route
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- Cane
Aden
- Muza
Berinece
- Philotera
Myos Hormos
Leuce Kome
Alia
- Hawara
- Gryn
- Ayl
Rekem, (Petra)
- Sela
- Wadi Arabah
- Wadi Fiqreh
- Obodat
- Ruheiba
- Elusa
- Gaza (Jenysos)
Alexandria
Further Information
- Who were the ancient
Arab Sea Traders?
- Southern Arabia
- Ancient Sailing and
Navigation
- History & Construction
of the Dhow
- Camels
- Parallel Maritime
Histories
- The Incense Road
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- For more information on Sela,
- CLICK HERE
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Sela
The mountain of Sela suited well as a fortified
stopping place. The valley beside Sela descends to Wadi Arabah.
Large camel caravans could camp at the foot of the Sela mountain.
The top of the mountain was relatively smooth, making it a perfect
fortress and place to store goods.
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Sela is located south of
the town of Tafila, along the King's Highway only a couple of
kilometers from the old Edomite capital city of Bushera. The
picture on the left is taken many miles away. Camel caravans
would come over the hill and drop down into the valley where
Sela mountain stands, completely surrounded by cliffs. |
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In front of the mountain is a large camping
spot. Wide stairs lead up the side of the cliff to water reservoirs
and eventually to the top of the mountain where there are more
water cisterns. The reservoirs are strategically located so that
the water could be released to wash away any attackers. The picture
on the left shows a boy standing on the bottom of the stairs
that lead up the mountain. Much of the stairs are now in ruins.
It is a bit of a scramble to reach the mountaintop,
but it is well worth the trip, especially if you can find the
Assyrian inscriptions there.
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On the west and northwest corners of
the top of Sela mountain are two well preserved high places.
Sela was a major hub of Nabataean trading,
and the scenery is breath taking, especially down to Wadi Arabah.
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