---
title: Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla: More Stunning Sites at AlUla, Saudi Arabia
author: Fiona Richards
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2850/dadan-tayma-khaybar-qurh--old-town-alula/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-12-03
---
# Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla: More Stunning Sites at AlUla, Saudi Arabia
_Authored by [Fiona Richards](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/fiona.richards/)_
Khaybar, Tayma, Dadan, Qurh, and AlUla Old Town are sites situated in the AlUla region of Saudi [Arabia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arabia/), an area on the ancient incense [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) routes. Khaybar and Tayma are both multiperiod oasis sites, whilst Dadan was once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms more than 2000 years ago. Qurh was an early Islamic [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), and AlUla Old Town dates from the 12th century to the 20th century CE.
**[  Khaybar Oasis Old Town Royal Commission of AlUla. (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21323/khaybar-oasis-old-town/ "Khaybar Oasis Old Town")**
### Khaybar
The oasis of Khaybar, a place of continuous human occupation from prehistoric periods through to today, has been a source of vibrant [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and fresh spring water for millennia. Renowned for being one of the world's most extensive and rich archaeological landscapes, Greater Khaybar is characterized by tens of thousands of late prehistoric stone structures distributed across lava fields and the ancient oasis.
Whilst the visible monuments predominantly date to the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, some evidence suggests that human occupation of the landscape stretches back much further, to at least 300,000 years ago.
Historically, Khaybar is best known for localised residence of Muslim rule in the early 7th century CE, when [Islam](https://www.worldhistory.org/islam/) was emerging. The six forts situated atop basalt hills are associated with that time, although their origins likely preceded this period, and what stands today is much later.
[  Khaybar Oasis Fortifications Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21322/khaybar-oasis-fortifications/ "Khaybar Oasis Fortifications")### Tayma
Tayma was another significant oasis settlement in north-western Arabia. Its historical importance is also largely attributed to its status as a major stopping point along routes of travel from Southern Arabia to [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), and the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) world, intersecting with the Nafud Desert and trade from the east. Notably, Tayma was home to Nabonidus, the last Neo-Babylonian king, who resided there in the mid-6th century BCE.
The earliest reference to Tayma appears as '[Tiamat](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiamat/)' in Neo-Babylonian inscriptions dating back to the 8th century BCE. Its prosperity is illustrated through its once impressive [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) and many water management features. There is also a massive well, although its date is uncertain.
A landmark discovery in 2010 was a hieroglyphic inscription by [Ramesses](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/ramesses/) III (r. 1186-1155 BCE), approximately 60 km northwest of the oasis. The first such inscription discovered in Saudi Arabia, it suggests Tayma's role in an important trade route connecting the Red Sea coast of the Arabian Peninsula with the [Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/nile/). Archaeological exploration over the past 20 years in and around the oasis has indicated that Tayma has been continuously inhabited since the [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/).
[  Taymar Oasis Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21415/taymar-oasis/ "Taymar Oasis")### Dadan
One of the most important discoveries at AlUla was the ancient city of Dadan. Once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms more than 2000 years ago, this breathtaking stone city is home to famous tombs that were neatly and skilfully cut into the red rock cliff faces.
The ancient city of Dadan was established at a key location on the ancient incense trade routes, and the city was occupied from at least the 8th to the 1st century BCE. Dadan's [economy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/economy/) was based on trade and [agriculture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agriculture/) with plentiful water and fertile soil that created a productive oasis in the desert.
[  Dadan Ruins Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21324/dadan-ruins/ "Dadan Ruins")Excavations at Dadan have focused on religious structures, revealing impressive architecture and monumental structures. At the centre of the city was a large [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/), dedicated to Dhu Ghaybahm, the chief [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of the Lihyanite Kingdom. Its scale and construction tell us that [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) had a significant role in the kingdom. Inscriptions indicate an active religious life, with worship based around offerings and pilgrimage.
The level of craftsmanship, in both buildings and artefacts, such as incense burners and lamps, suggests the existence of a local stone-carving school. A remarkable feature found at the site is a huge stone basin, carved from a single block of sandstone. Known locally as Mahlab al-Naqah, it could hold around 26 cubic metres of water and is thought to have been used on religious occasions.
Colossal statues have also been found at Dadan that measure up to 2.6 metres, about one and a half times the size of a person. They are thought to represent important individuals such as kings and priests. Statues of a similar style have been found in contemporary Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Dadan has hundreds of tombs, the most visible of which are cut into the rock face just south of the site. Excavators think their location probably reflects the social position of those buried. The best-known tombs at Dadan are the two 'lion tombs'. The carved lions are thought to symbolise powerful status or strength, or they could have been carved to protect the [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/)'s occupants. Some of the tombs may have belonged to members of the Minaean community who lived in Dadan after the 5th century BCE, including one of the ‘lion tombs'.
[  Lion tombs at Dadan Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21410/lion-tombs-at-dadan/ "Lion tombs at Dadan")The prosperity of Dadan was largely dependent on the practice of intensive agriculture and irrigation, and trade in frankincense, myrrh, and spices. The Lihyanites, based in Dadan, played a key role in the movement of these goods. The Minaeans, whose capital was M'in in South Arabia, participated in the control of the caravan trade.
There appears to have been harmony between the Minaean community based at Dadan and the local population, as there are examples of intermarriage recorded in Dadanite inscriptions.
### Qurh
The early Islamic city of Qurh lies on the ancient overland routes of travel between southern Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world. Archaeological evidence suggests that activity at the site dates to at least the 1st century CE, but most of the findings date to the 10th and 11th centuries CE.
With the advent of Islam in 622 CE, the route from Damascus evolved into the Syrian Hajj Route, and Qurh, with its abundant orchards and water supply, flourished as a major stop for pilgrims. Al-Muquddasi, [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) in 985 CE, provides a lively account of Qurh. He describes it as the largest city in the Hejaz after Mecca, with a Sunni population where goods from [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/) and Iraq were sold in the markets.
> Villages encircle it on all sides and palm trees skirt it about; and, besides, it is possessed of very cheap dates and excellent bread and copious springs of water, pretty houses and busy markets. \[...\] it is a Syrian, an [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/), an Iraqian and a Ḥijazite town all in one, but the water is unwholesome and its dates of middling quality.
> (Al-Muqadassi, 83-84)
He also mentions a mosque in the main street where there is a bone in the mihrab, said to be the bone that spoke to the [Prophet Muhammad](https://www.worldhistory.org/Prophet_Muhammad/).
By c. 1200 CE, the site was abandoned, and the main settlement in the valley moved to what is today called AlUla Old Town.
[  Ruins of Qurh Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21404/ruins-of-qurh/ "Ruins of Qurh")### AlUla Old Town
AlUla Old Town exemplifies the enduring heritage that shapes the region's identity. Dominating the landscape is the reconstructed Musa bin Nusayr Castle, an ancient citadel reported as far back as the 10th century CE. The historic enclave below sustained human settlement from at least the 12th century CE until the late 20th century, and was a pivotal waypoint along the pilgrimage route connecting Damascus and Mecca (Makkah). Its mud-brick buildings, distinct fortifications, and remnants of artistic expression, seen by the hundreds of [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) paintings, collectively hold significant historical importance to the local community and beyond. The [labyrinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/Labyrinth/) of alleys in the old town has over 900 identified properties, including 400 shops and five central squares or *rahbas*.
[  Old Town of AlUla Royal Commission of AlUla (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21405/old-town-of-alula/ "Old Town of AlUla")These sites of AlUla, together with Hegra and Jabal Ikmah, are located along the incense trade route and were part of the network that facilitated the trade of spices, [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/), and other luxury items through the [Kingdom of Axum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kingdom_of_Axum/), Arabia, Egypt, and [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). The oasis of AlUla itself was also a key stop on the Hejaz railway, linking Damascus and Medina. This area is so rich in history, and together the sites make up the rich tapestry that is the history of AlUla.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad Muqaddasī. *The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Regions.* Ithaca Press, 1970.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B01K0RR33O/)
## About the Author
Fiona excavated, travelled and worked as a guide in the Middle East for over 20 years. Specialist and author of two books on Egyptian Scarab Seals, she founded Timeless Travels Magazine in 2014. She was awarded journalist of the Year 2018 & 2020.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/timelesstravelsmagazine)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/Ttravelsmag)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionavrichards/)
## External Links
- [Discovering AlUla: A Journey Through Time and Beauty](https://foundersclubint.com/discovering-alula-a-journey-through-time-and-beauty/)
- [Khaybar | Near by AlUla](https://www.experiencealula.com/en/places-to-go/khaybar)
- [ALULA | TAYMA | KHAYBAR](https://whc.unesco.org/document/204256)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Richards, F. (2025, December 03). Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla: More Stunning Sites at AlUla, Saudi Arabia. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Richards, Fiona. "Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla: More Stunning Sites at AlUla, Saudi Arabia." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 03, 2025. .
### MLA
Richards, Fiona. "Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla: More Stunning Sites at AlUla, Saudi Arabia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 03 Dec 2025, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Fiona Richards](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/fiona.richards/ "User Page: Fiona Richards"), published on 03 December 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.