Introduction to the Mysterious Negev Desert Forest
The Negev Desert, also known as the Arabian Desert, is a wide and open region located in the southern part of Israel. Virtually uninhabited, the region is made up of mountains, canyons, and shallow valleys. Despite its barren landscape, the Negev holds a secret. Nestled within its desert terrain lies a rare and mysterious forest – the Negev Desert Forest.
In Hebrew the word Negev means “arid,” and it is mainly composed of sand dunes, rocky mountains and desert expanses. Yet for centuries, a pocket of greenery has existed within its dry climate, a unique oasis that even experts have struggled to explain.
Encompassing a grand total of 30 square kilometers (11.6 square miles), the Negev Desert Forest has been studied extensively over the decades. Scientists are still attempting to unravel the mysteries of how and why the lush, lush vegetation is sustained despite the surrounding desert.
The Ancient History of the Forest
The Negev desert is a part of the land of Israel and the Promised Land promised by God to the Israelites more than three thousand years ago. Despite its arid climate, since ancient times the Negev has been home to humans, from nomadic shepherds to, eventually, Jewish settlers.
Some experts claim that the Negev Desert Forest dates as far back as the time of the ancient Israelites. In the biblical Book of Joshua, the Negev region is mentioned as an area of lush vegetation. The earliest inhabitants of the region, the Edomites, are believed to have cultivated olive groves and date and fig trees in addition to herding sheep. Indeed, the forests may have been present from before the time of the first Jewish settlers.
It is believed that the first Jewish settlers who entered the area in the late 1800s were the ones who spread rumors of the mysterious forest. The first explorers of the region, sent by British and French agencies, reported that they encountered a forest that seemed to defy the desert landscape and which seemed to mysteriously self-replenish.
The Plant Life of the Forest
The Negev Desert Forest features an abundance of plant life, including numerous species of trees, shrubs, ferns, and grasses which cultivate the desert floor in dense thickets. The vegetation is so thick that it is almost impossible to pass through without a machete. Many of the trees are gnarled and twisted, indicating that they have been surviving a harsh environment for thousands of years.
The oaks and carobs of the forest are particularly hardy, surviving on minimal water and providing a source of food and shelter for the animals that call the desert home. The groves of juniper and pistachio trees, in addition to various fragrant wildflowers, thrive in the desert and make up a large part of the vegetation of the Negev Desert forest.
The forest is home to an impressive list of animals and insects, too, providing a safe refuge from the harsh desert climate.
The Mysterious Source of the Forest’s Sustenance
Despite numerous studies and theories, the true source of the Negev Desert Forest’s sustenance remains a mystery. While some believe the wooded area gets its moisture from rain and from the humidity of the nearby Red Sea, others have speculations that it has some kind of underground water source- but this has yet to be confirmed.
The mystery is baffling for sure, for Scientific research has proven the trees of the Negev Desert Forest are highly stable. Not only do they often grow the same height year after year, but they also survive fires and droughts- events which would spell certain death for the flora that typically exists in desert regions.
This suggests that the Negev Desert Forest has seen occasional downpours at least in the last 300 years and that these bouts of moisture help to sustain it as other theories suggest.
The Sacred and Cultural Significance of the Forest
The Negev Desert Forest has deep cultural importance in the region of the Middle East and is linked to many sacred stories and legends. Believed to be a meeting place for the ancient Elohim gods, the sacred grove was a site of worship amongst the Edomites and early Israelites and continues to have deep spiritual significance today.
Local culture also holds that the forest is home to many mysterious creatures, from spirits to dragons to talking trees. It is believed that these creatures guard its secrets and protect the forest from intruders.
Conclusion
The Negev Desert Forest of Israel is a stunning example of a natural mystery that continues to remain unsolved. While its source of sustenance is still a mystery, what we do know is that this unique oasis provides habitat to countless species of plants, animals, and insects and has true spiritual significance in the region. For scientists and travelers alike, the Negev Desert Forest remains an enigmatic reminder of the power of nature over man.