Avdat was one of the most important cities along the Spice Route after Petra. Like Petra, Avdat was built by the Nabateans whose kingdom earned great wealth by transporting spices from India to the ports of Gaza. The community of Avdat thrived for 700 years until a massive earthquake destroyed their mountaintop city. Although the city was ruined and the Nabateans have disappeared, the ruins of their massive city remain. A great stop in the Negev Desert for anyone who secretly wanted to be Indiana Jones when they grew up. Also a great taste of Nabatean history for anyone who doesn't have the time to go all the way to Petra from Israel.