The ancient settlement of Ein Gedi flourished in the Roman and Byzantine periods as a centre of balsam production — the plant's resin was among the most valuable commodities in the ancient world, and the exact method of cultivation was apparently guarded as a trade secret. The site, between the two wadi entrances, contains ruins of a Byzantine-era synagogue with a well-preserved mosaic floor.
The synagogue mosaic is among the finest in Israel and is worth the short walk from the road. The panels include geometric patterns and Hebrew inscriptions. Nearby ruins include storage rooms, oil presses, and the outlines of ancient buildings. An information board at the site provides context. There is no charge to visit the archaeological site itself, though the nature reserve requires separate entry.