In fact, the Nabatean agriculture, known through the translation into Arabic of the Book of Nabatean Agriculture in the 3 rd century A.C., had a huge impact in the agronomists of Al-Andalus. In the banks aimed at agriculture, they grew corn, barley, sesame, olives, vines, saffron, among other products. They also built dams for the storage of water, whose base was formed by stones with a lime mortar layer, as the soil was really sandy and didn’t retain the water. This was later distributed through the valley by relying on a channel system. They developed an important oasis agriculture, digging reservoirs and wells in the rock, aimed at storing rainwater. One of the main characteristics of the Nabatean civilization was its great dexterity with the agricultural and construction techniques. Next to them, there were the remains of tombs, as well as necklaces made with dates, glass beads, recipients carved in bones, coins, arrowheads, among others. In the dark of the caved halls there were many mummified bodies, anointed with resin and vegetable oils. Tombs of Mada’in Saleh.īurials were common. However, thanks to its location and, especially, to the lack of tourism, the remains are better preserved than those of Petra. We also find some natural cracks that remind us of its sister city. Some of the carved rocks can reach a height of 16 meters. In this archaeological ensemble we find temples, palaces, and lots of tombs. The geology of Mada’in Saleh was perfect for the Nabatean settlements, with their characteristic carvings filled with details. Located in the middle of the desert, it is formed by a group of huge rocks carved with architectural features similar to those of Petra. Remains of Al-HijrĪl-Hijr is an exceptional reminder of the Nabatean civilization. In spite of this, UNESCO declared Mada’in Saleh a World Heritage Site in 2008, becoming the country’s first site in attaining this recognition. However, it is not very well-known and it is hard to visit, as Saudi Arabia is a country with many restrictions to foreign tourists. Due to its grandeur and its resemblance with the later, it is known as the “Petra of Saudi Arabia”. It was approximately in the 1 st century, maybe before, when the Nabateans conquered Al-Hijr and turned it into their main city in the South, the second most important city after their capital, Petra (Jordan). Within the area of Al-Ula, we find Mada’in Saleh (Cities of Saleh), a place also known as the archaeological site of Al-Hijr (Place of Rock).
In addition to the many cave engravings from the Neolithic period, there have also been found roots from the mysterious Dadanitic and Lihyanite civilizations, that predated the Nabatean civilization in the 6 th and 7 th centuries B.C. However, the Nabatean were not its first dwellers. Thanks to the monopoly it held over myrrh, incense, and species, the Nabatean kingdom flourished in the settlement and became a key point for trade between the North and the South for the Arabian Peninsula, the north of Africa and India. In the past, this city was an important meeting point for several civilizations, as it was an essential place of transit for caravans and the supply of water. This makes this place, not only one of the most important heritage sites of the country, but of the world as a whole. The city is formed by an oasis and a rocky area which holds many monuments and objects dating back to the 9 th century B.C. A huge museum outdoors that intends to open to a cultural and sustainable tourism.Īl-Ula oasisMore than 2,000 years old, and locted in the North-East of the country, Al-Ula is approximately as big as Belgium. Hidden in the middle of the desert in Saudi Arabia, we find this wonder, the ancient city of Al-Ula, carved in sandstone by men.
0 kommentar(er)
