Haluza (Elusa) is the most mysterious of the Incense Route cities, a Nabatean city that may have been the largest in the Negev but remains largely unexcavated, its secrets still buried beneath the desert sand. Located in the western Negev, closer to the Mediterranean than the other Nabatean cities, Haluza served as the gateway between the desert trade routes and the ports of Gaza and Raphia.
The City
Ancient sources describe Haluza as a large and prosperous city. It was the birthplace of the Roman historian Ariston and served as a bishopric in the Byzantine period. The city had churches, a theater, public baths, and residential quarters, but unlike Avdat, Mamshit, and Shivta, which have been extensively excavated, Haluza has been only partially explored. The remains visible on the surface, scattered columns, architectural fragments, and the outlines of buildings in the sand, hint at the scale of what lies beneath.
The Excavations
Limited excavations have uncovered a large Byzantine church, wine presses, and inscriptions that confirm the city’s importance. Recent surveys using ground-penetrating radar have revealed extensive underground structures that have never been excavated. The potential for future discoveries at Haluza is enormous, and the site may hold the answers to many questions about Nabatean urbanization and the transition from paganism to Christianity in the Negev.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Haluza is the Incense Route city that is still waiting to be discovered. Hoshen Tours includes it for visitors who want to see what an unexcavated archaeological site looks like and to imagine the city that still lies beneath the sand.