Significant Bronze Age Village Unearthed At Khaybar Oasis In Saudi Arabia

Archaeologists have unearthed a Bronze Age village in the Khaybar Oasis, northwest Saudi Arabia. This discovery, published in PLOS ONE, was announced by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCA) at a press conference in Riyadh. The find underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and aligns with Vision 2030 goals, promoting international knowledge exchange and cultural awareness.

The discovery of this village, named Al-Natah, challenges previous beliefs about the socio-economic structure of northwestern Arabia during the early and middle Bronze Age. It suggests that regions like Khaybar were significant urban centres that maintained community stability through agriculture and trade. This shift from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle occurred in the second half of the third millennium BC.

Khaybar Oasis is situated on the edge of the Harrat Khaybar volcanic field, formed at the junction of three valleys in an arid region. The village remains were found buried under basalt rock layers on the oasis's northern edge. Archaeologists identified the site in October 2020 but faced challenges distinguishing its structures and layout.

In February 2024, researchers used field surveys, detailed studies, and high-resolution imaging to uncover more details about Al-Natah. Future excavations are anticipated to provide further insights into this ancient settlement. The village spanned 2.6 hectares and housed around 500 people between 2400-2000 BC until 1500-1300 BC.

The study reveals that Al-Natah residents lived in traditional multi-story dwellings with storage on the ground floor and living quarters above. Narrow pathways connected these homes to the village centre. Villagers buried their dead in graves or tiered towers, often including valuable items like pottery or metal tools as grave goods.

Life in Al-Natah was marked by skilled craftsmanship; residents produced pottery, traded it, worked with metal, and adorned clothing with beads. Their diet mainly consisted of mutton, lamb, and grains. The community cooperatively reinforced walls using dry stones and clay.

Research Collaboration

This archaeological study was conducted by RCA alongside the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) and France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). RCA's Department of Archaeology manages one of the world's largest research programs to elevate AlUla as a premier cultural heritage destination.

The research team included Dr. Guillaume Charloux from CNRS and Dr. Mounira Al-Mashouh from RCA's Archaeological Surveys department. Historian Saifi Al-Shalali from Khaybar also contributed to this discovery.

Broader Implications

The findings add to ongoing studies since 2018 exploring ancient AlUla and Khaybar history. These include massive stone structures known as mustatils, stone traps, extensive funerary roads linking settlements and pastures, and stone circles used as dwellings.

This new evidence indicates that Bronze Age societies in northwestern Arabia were more sophisticated than previously thought. They were interconnected with broader regional networks through trade and commerce.

The announcement follows the AlUla World Archaeology Symposium 2024 themed "Moving Forward: Past, Present and Future in Archaeology." This event highlighted AlUla's growing role in global archaeological research and cultural dialogue.

Currently, RCA oversees ten archaeological projects involving 100 archaeologists working across AlUla and Khaybar. This discovery enhances Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for archaeological research.

With inputs from SPA