Nabatean trade routes

The Nabatean trade routes were ancient pathways used by the Nabateans, a merchant people, to connect the Arabian Peninsula, Red Sea, and Mediterranean. These routes traversed deserts, mountains, and valleys, facilitating the trade of goods like spices, incense, silks, and precious stones. Central to this network were vital oasis towns such as Petra, which served as trading hubs and caravan stops, enabling merchants to rest and resupply. These routes played a key role in fostering cultural exchanges and economic prosperity in the region during their peak around the 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE.