Archaeologists have uncovered the remnants of a 4,000-year-old fortified town, Al-Natah, nestled within the oasis of Khaybar in northwest Saudi Arabia. This discovery provides a unique glimpse into a period when local societies were transitioning from nomadic lifestyles to a more urban existence.

The research suggests that Al-Natah, dating back to 2,400 BC in the early Bronze Age, hosted approximately 500 residents before being abandoned around 1,400 BC.

With the aid of aerial observations, researchers identified pathways and housing foundations, indicating a walled town layout covering 2.6 hectares and composed of about 50 houses. This is reported by Arab News. This significant find follows previous archaeological efforts in the oasis of Tayma to the north, where Bronze Age ramparts were identified, reshaping historians’ understanding of the Arabian Peninsula’s past. The discovery of Al-Natah highlights the emergence of “slow urbanism,” indicating that fortified oases likely interacted with each other, possibly setting the stage for what would later become the famous Incense Route.

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