Uncovering secrets of mystery civilization in Saudi Arabia

[Judi Lynn]

By Sylvia Smith
BBC News, Saudi Arabia
3 October 2019



RICHARD DUEBEL

This rock tomb is just one of the monuments left in the area by the Nabataeans

A team of researchers is carrying out the first in-depth archaeological survey of part of Saudi Arabia, in a bid to shed light on a mysterious civilisation that once lived there. The Nabataean culture left behind sophisticated stone monuments, but many sites remain unexplored.

The rock-strewn deserts of Al Ula in Saudi Arabia are known for their pitch-black skies, which allow stargazers to easily study celestial bodies without the problem of light pollution.

But the region is becoming even more attractive for archaeologists.

A long-lost culture known as the Nabataean civilisation inhabited the area starting from around 100 BC and persisted for some 200 years.

While the Nabataeans ruled their empire from the stunning city of Petra in Jordan, they made Hegra (the modern Mada'in Saleh) in Al Ula their second capital.

Now, archaeologists are planning to carry out the first in-depth survey of a chunk of land here that's roughly the size of Belgium.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49424036#

[Nitram]

1. Fascinating. I had never heard of the Nabataean culture, but am familiar with Petra.

300 years seems like a very short life-span for a culture that created buildings like the tomb in the photo above.

[pansypoo53219]

2. PBS has done some docs on petra & the nabateens

that tomb reminded me about what they said about petra.

[Karadeniz]

3. My family dropped by Petra one Easter vacation...loved it! Hope they hurry up with more

Information on these people.

[keithbvadu2]

4. Think Ozymandias.

Think Ozymandias.