Archaeologists have made a significant discovery in the Khaybar Oasis of northwest Saudi Arabia, uncovering a fortified town estimated to be around 4,000 years old. This site, named al-Natah, dates back to approximately 2400 BC and provides valuable insights into the region’s transition from nomadic lifestyles to more structured urban living.
Al-Natah, situated within a walled oasis, exhibits early signs of social organization and urban planning. It reflects a gradual shift towards urbanization in the Arabian Peninsula, where fortified settlements enabled interactions among pastoral nomads. The study detailing these findings was published in the journal PLOS One, conducted by the Royal Commission for AlUla in collaboration with the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
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The research reveals that al-Natah spans 2.6 hectares and likely supported about 500 residents, serving as a central hub in a broader network of fortified towns and oases in the region. Archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, who led the research, characterized al-Natah as a prime example of “slow urbanism,” where urban development occurred gradually and in harmony with community needs, differing from the grand urban centers of contemporaneous Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Set within the volcanic Harrat Khaybar field at the crossroads of three valleys, the arid landscape hid the ruins of al-Natah under layers of basalt rock for centuries. A notable feature of the site is a 14.5-kilometer wall that surrounded the settlement, indicating organized defenses likely intended to protect the inhabitants from nomadic raids. The layout includes residential areas, a possible decision-making zone, and a necropolis, suggesting a well-organized community structure.
The study highlights that al-Natah and other Bronze Age sites in northwestern Arabia were interconnected through a network of walled oases, facilitating trade and interaction across the desert. Advanced planning is evident in satellite imagery, revealing foundations for houses and pathways.
Excavations at the site uncovered robust stone foundations that could have supported multi-story buildings, potentially used for living, crop storage, and animal husbandry. Artifacts found at al-Natah include pottery fragments, grinding stones, and metal objects like axes and daggers, providing a glimpse into the daily lives and social structure of its inhabitants. The ceramics indicate a relatively egalitarian society focused on sustenance rather than opulence.
The necropolis features stepped tower tombs and agate stones, suggesting that the inhabitants possessed metalworking skills and engaged in trade that may have extended beyond the Khaybar Oasis. Al-Natah’s fortified structure and its trade connections hint at the early origins of the Arabian incense route, which facilitated the exchange of valuable goods such as frankincense and myrrh.
Al-Natah was likely abandoned between 1500 and 1300 BC, with its decline attributed to factors such as environmental changes, resource depletion, or shifts in trade routes. The discovery is significant for historians and archaeologists, enhancing the understanding of urbanization in northwestern Arabia. Experts like historian Juan Manuel Tebes and archaeologist Robert Andrew Carter have praised the project for its potential to reconstruct the social evolution timeline in the region.
Today, the Khaybar Oasis stands as a testament to the resilience of early societies that thrived in harsh desert conditions. While modest compared to other ancient civilizations, al-Natah provides a unique perspective on how early communities adapted their urban lifestyles to the challenges of the Arabian landscape. Ongoing excavations aim to reveal more about the lives, customs, and eventual fate of the town’s residents.
