Construction and use of rock-cut cisterns: a chronological OSL approach in the arid Negev Highlands, Israel

Abstract The Negev Highlands (Israel) are characterized by a rich settlement history over the last millennia. To sustain life in this arid environment, measures to collect and store water were introduced. Two types of installations runoff built region: open reservoirs, more elaborate subterranean rock-cut cisterns. This article focuses on latter. Based few inscriptions found cisterns, it is assumed that majority constructed Hellenistic (Nabatean) Byzantine period. evaluate age assessment, study was carried out at Borot Hazaz cisterns system, using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating together with micromorphological analyses. Both applied sediments relocated during cistern’s construction usage after maintenance activities ended. Despite unfavourable conditions for resetting OSL signal, including fluvial transport short distances sediment deposition humans large quantities, possible reconstruct cycle cistern system. present places system late Roman period, utilization long-term following centuries. Maintenance ceased gradually course 500 years.