New Discoveries in AlUla Reveal Lost Chapter of History

New archaeological discoveries at Dadan in AlUla have revealed important new information about the history of northwest Arabia. The findings show that the area had continuous human settlement from the Nabataean period through to the early Islamic era, filling a long-standing gap in historical knowledge.

A joint research team from the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) made the discoveries. The academic journal Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy published the results. For the first time, the study documents human activity in Wadi al-Qura between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE. Trending: Jeddah Airport sets record of 50 Million passengers and counting in 2025

Previously, experts believed that this period marked a decline after the Nabataean era, characterized by limited or no permanent settlement. The new archaeological evidence directly challenges that assumption.

A Settlement That Lasted for Centuries

The study is based on excavations carried out from 2021 to 2023 as part of the Dadan Archaeological Project, a collaboration between RCU, CNRS, and AFALULA.

Archaeologists uncovered a large architectural complex dating back to the late 3rd or early 4th century CE. The site remained in continuous use until the first half of the 7th century CE, just before the beginning of the Islamic period.

The settlement is located in the Dadan area, less than one kilometer south of the ancient city of Dadan. This discovery provides the first integrated archaeological evidence of long-term settlement in Wadi al-Qura from the early 5th century until the eve of Islam. See Also: Saudi Arabia’s Rail network to exceed 8,000 km soon

A Well-Planned and Organized Community

Archaeological digs have uncovered a meticulously laid-out town with rooms, courtyards, and a central plaza. The archaeologists also discovered a basin, water canals, and an efficient water-management system.

The presence of supplementary evidence related to farming, crop storage, food preparation, and craft production indicates that the community was not temporary or experiencing a decline but rather stable, organized, and economically productive.

Scientific Analysis Reveals Daily Life Details

Researchers used a multidisciplinary scientific approach to study the site. This included ceramic analysis, stone tool studies, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and geoarchaeology.

These methods provided valuable new insights into diet, agricultural practices, and oasis life during a period of major social and economic change in the region. Most Viewed: Saudi Court orders Government to pay hospital bill of illegal resident

Rewriting the History of Wadi al-Qura

The results disprove the long-held belief that the fourth and sixth centuries CE saw a drop in settlement activity in Wadi al-Qura. Even after Islam spread to the area, the architecture, social structure, and mechanisms for managing resources were all well-preserved because of the persistent and dynamic society that lived there.

Dr. Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, Vice President of Culture within RCU’s Tourism Sector and a key contributor to the study, said the discoveries reveal a critical chapter in AlUla’s history.

He explained that the findings prove AlUla was part of a lively settlement network in the centuries before Islam, helping scholars better understand social continuity in northwest Arabia.

The discovery also reflects RCU’s commitment to international archaeological research and strengthens AlUla’s position as a global center for the study of Arabian history. Be with us: Join Saudi Expatriates channel on WhatsApp for all the latest updates