The Dead Sea can conjure up all kinds of strange thoughts and ideas. Over the centuries it has garnered quite a few names, both interesting and unflattering: the Devil’s Sea, Stinking Sea, Lake of Asphalt, The Salt Sea and The Sea of Arabah. It has been said that this sea became extremely salty because the ruins of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah lie deep under it. Because of this, it is called the Sea of Sodom or the Sea of Lot by some. The Dead Sea is also characterized by the numerous, large asphalt lumps on its surface, thus it is also called the Lake of Asphalt.
For much of the rest of the world it is known as the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the saltiest sea on earth. It is also the lowest body of water on Earth. For many it is also one of the most healthful places to visit. Thousands of people come to this sea for the health benefits it imparts. It sits on the Great Rift Valley fault line, which extends into Africa, and sits in between the area of Judea and the country of Jordan. The reason why it is so salty is because salt is washed in regularly from the waters of the Jordan river and other smaller tributaries. Because the sea sits at such a low point it cannot flush out the salt from these tributaries so it remains extremely salty and becomes saltier over time. Water cannot escape from the Dead Sea except through evaporation. The water evaporates in the summer leaving the lake smaller and smaller and more salty. Its salinity is about 30% – much saltier than the rest of the world’s oceans.
The high level of salt content makes it impossible for aquatic life to live in the sea and it also results in a density that creates buoyancy, so much that one stays afloat on the surface and never sinks, even those who cannot swim. The ancient historian Flavius Josephus wrote of how the Roman general Vespasian put this phenomenon to the test by throwing his prisoners of war into the Dead Sea. Travelers from the Middle Ages brought home tales of a dead sea with no animal life within it, nor vegetation. The vapors rising from it were even thought to be deadly and this gave rise to the idea of the name Stinking Sea. In truth, some forms of bacteria can survive in it but any fish that happen to find themselves trapped in the Dead Sea, swept in by the Jordan river or other streams quickly die. Interestingly, some of the areas surrounding the Dead Sea are filled with lush vegetation and waterfalls; pockets of oasis and wildlife, such as the ibex, Arabian wolves, sandcats and black storks, among many other animals.
In ancient times people were said to have drank the water, thinking that this would cure them of certain ailments. Obviously we know today that this is not a good idea. But it does impart benefits in other ways. The high salt content has a cleansing effect on the body and the climate of the region in general also has positive benefits on health. The low altitude creates a naturally oxygen rich atmosphere. If a person is suffering from ailments like headaches, migraines, stress, fatigue, cramps or minor aches and pains, oxygen can provide immediate relief. The long term benefits of oxygen are even better; it can help flush out impurities and toxins from the blood and it promotes the healing of injuries faster. The high concentration of bromide in the air is said to have a relaxing effect and the mineral rich black mud and hot sulfur springs along the shores are used to treat skin ailments and arthritis.
The Dead Sea also produces bitumen. Bitumen, also known as asphalt in its crude form, is discharged from the sea and it floats to the surface in lumps. According to Saudi Aramco World, a bi-monthly magazine, Bitumen has been described as the first petroleum product ever used by humans. Some thought that earthquakes caused these chunks of asphalt to break away from the bed of the sea and float to the surface but it is more likely that the asphalt filters up through cracks under the sea bed and it combines along with salt rock structures and reaches the sea bottom. After a while the salt rocks melt and the asphalt lumps rise to the surface. Bitumen has been used over the centuries for water proofing boats and construction projects. It was also once a bustling trade route. Wooden anchors were found on its shores close to the ancient harbor of En-gedi that once existed. One of these anchors is thought to be almost 2500 years old, the other about 2000 years old. Normally wooden anchors decompose in normal saltwater but because of the Dead Sea’s high salinity these ancient anchors were preserved well, even with their ropes attached!
So the sea has many wonderful benefits even though it cannot hold complex living organisms. Health benefits for mind and body that people the world over still enjoy. It is part of a beautiful environmental landscape of vegetation and wildlife, it once served as a trade route in ancient times and is an important landmark and health mecca for locals and tourists as well has having been part of ancient, Biblical history. We can all benefit from the Dead Sea! Come and see and enjoy its wonders!
