R~ mains of eleven groups of milestones, each numbering two'stones', were found along the
road. Five continuous groups were found in the Naf1). aPlateau, between'Avdat and Na1).
al'Aqev. The remaining six groups, also continuous, were found along the road in Makhtesh
Ramon. Until recent days, no other milestones have been found in the Negev.! The
milestones were carved of local limestone; although the limestone rock of the Naf1).
aPlateau is relatively hard, it may be chiselled and smoothed. In Makhtesh Ramon, two sorts …

The trade route leading from Arabia, serving primarily dealers in perfumes, 1 forked into two
main branches in southern Transjordan: one branch leading north, towards Damascus
along the Transjordan plateau, and the other running northwest, to the southern port-towns
of Palestine. The latter, which passes through the'Arava and the Negev, is known as
the'Petra-Gaza Road', thus called after the principal stations at its origin and terminus (Fig. I).
This work deals with a section of this road, one day's march in length, which leads from the …