History of The Dead Sea: It's written in Salt

The Dead Sea is the only place in the world blessed with the four elements fo life: Fire, Wind, Earth and Water.

Ever since the dawn of history, this area has been sanctuary and shelter to Kings and rebels, entrepreneurs and philosophers.

This particular time – between Christmas, New year's and the holiday of Epiphany (on January 18) is just the right time to take a look back at the impressive history man has recorded at the dead sea:

In biblical times – Abraham fought the five Kings of the Sodom region, and Lot acted here, and we all know his story. Some 3300 years ago - the Israelite people entered the land of Israel at the exact place where the Jordan river pours into the Dead Sea. This is also where king David hid from Solomon. Elijah and Elisha also acted from the Dead Sea area, and the Dead Sea is also the place where Elijah the prophet ascended into heaven.

During Herodianic times – Great castles were built here, all equipped with state-of-the-art watering systems, which allowed the growth of legendary world class spices.

At the end of the 2^nd Temple era, secularist groups which focused on abstaining the pleasures of life resided here. The Judean Desert cult, also known as the Essenes lived a socially and culturally rich life here. The Essenes who operated along the Dead Sea beaches turned into legend that is still studied our days.

At the Same time – the region between Qumran and the Jordan river estuary was home base to some other rebels: John the baptist and Jesus Christ, who later on started the christian faith that spread all around the world.

The Simon bar Kokhba rebellion left its impressions here - the caves and extremely high cliffs of Masada is home to many of them.

During the Byzantine era – between the 4^th and 7^th centuries – many different groups resided in the Dead Sea area, most known are the huge groups of monks that revived the area by building their monasteries and seclusion places.

At the 7^th century – the area was conquered first by Persians and then by Arabs. Fortresses were built deep inside the desert, agricultural sites were developed, and sailing the Dead Sea from end to end was part of day to day life.

In a very peculiar symbolic way, Dead Sea scrolls were found at Qumran just before the state of Israel was declared – as if the scrolls were waiting for 2000 years – from the destruction of Judea till the time when Jews came back to live in Israel.