Editing Eilat (section)

==Archaeology==
Despite harsh conditions, the region has supported large populations as far back as 8,000 BCE.{{cn|date=November 2021}} Several [[Neolithic]] sites have been discovered in Eilat in its vicinity. One of them is a late Neolithic burial site with [[Fan scraper|fan scrapers]], dated by archaeologists to 5410-4250 BCE.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Andrew M. |last2=Stevens |first2=Michelle |last3=Niemi |first3=Tina M. |date=February 1997 |title=The Southeast Araba Archaeological Survey: A Preliminary Report of the 1994 Season |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.2307/1357745 |journal=Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research |language=en |volume=305 |issue=305 |pages=51 |doi=10.2307/1357745 |jstor=1357745 |issn=0003-097X}}</ref>

Exploration of ancient sites began in 1861, but only 7% of the area has undergone serious [[Archaeological field survey|archaeological excavation]]. Some 1,500 ancient sites are located in a {{convert|1200|km2|sqmi|adj=on|sp=us}} area. In contrast to the gaps found in settlement periods in the neighbouring Negev Highlands and Sinai, these sites show continuous settlement for the past 10,000 years.{{cn|date=November 2021}}