Bīr Madhkūr Incense Route Project

The ancient site of Petra, which was a major crossroads along the Incense Route

The Ancient Incense Route incorporated a network of major ancient land and sea trading routes linking Eastern and Southern sources of incense, spices and other luxury goods with the Mediterranean world.

Roughly 10 kilometers northwest of Petra, Jordan, lies Bir Madhkur, a relic of the Ancient Incense Route hidden in the foothills of the esh-Shera mountain range along the eastern border of Wadi Araba. Bir Madhkur, a site that holds special significance in the history of trade and development of human culture, was a major caravan station along the famed Spice Route that connected Petra in southern Jordan with the Mediterranean port of Gaza.

Significance

Image showing the Incense Road along the ancient Spice Route.

Jordan’s ancient history informs the histories of Eastern and Western civilizations. Jordan was home to many ancient kingdoms and played a vital role in the ancient Incense Route, which fostered international relations and cultural exchange through trade. Enriching our understanding of the Incense Route, and the wider Jordan area, helps us understand the interconnected world in which we live today.

The fabled route flourished from the 7th century BC to the 2nd century AD, stretching from India through eastern Africa and Arabia across the Levant and Egypt to Mediterranean ports.

Visitor Activities

Climb the cliffs, hike the mountains or trek the tranquil deserts of the scenic and historical Wadi Araba, located in the Jordan Rift Valley.

Discover not only the wildlife of the desert's beautifully fragile ecosystem, but the ancient rock shelters, stone piles and stone circles that dot the wadi.

Set out on a historical reenactment of the legendary caravan route on camelback, the way it has been done for thousands of years.

Affiliated Researchers

amsiigwu [dot] edu (Andrew M. Smith II)
Director, Center for Ancient Arabian Studies
Director, Bir Madhkur Incense Route Project
Associate Professor, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
The George Washington University

andrea [dot] kayuta [dot] edu (Andrea Kay)
Associate Director
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
The University of Texas at Arlington