The discovery of a fortified town dating back 4,000 years in a picturesque oasis in northwest Saudi Arabia has been made by archaeologists. This significant find underscores the transition of ancient societies from nomadic lifestyles to more urbanized forms of living. The site, known as al-Natah, has remained concealed within the walled oasis of Khaybar, a verdant area encircled by arid desert landscapes. Led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux and his team, the excavation revealed an impressive wall measuring 14.5 kilometers. The results of this research were published earlier this year, showcasing these ancient fortifications that encircled a residential zone, providing concrete evidence of organized habitation. The town, which dates back to approximately 2400 BC during the early Bronze Age, is estimated to have supported a community of around 500 inhabitants, underscoring its importance in the historical context of the region. This finding not only deepens our comprehension of the social and architectural advancements of the era but also highlights the crucial transition towards urbanization in this segment of the Arabian Peninsula.
The study’s authors noted that preliminary archaeological surveys and soundings have identified a fortified town covering 2.6 hectares, constructed between 2400 and 2000 BCE, which persisted until at least 1500 BCE, and possibly as late as 1300 BCE, albeit with potential interruptions.The site appears to have been functionally divided into distinct areas, including residential zones, a likely decision-making area, and a necropolis.The nucleated settlements were designed according to a uniform blueprint and were linked by narrow pathways. In contrast to adjacent oasis centers, researchers propose that Northwestern Arabia during the Bronze Age, predominantly inhabited by pastoral nomadic groups and already engaged in extensive trade networks, featured a landscape punctuated by interconnected monumental walled oases that were centered around small fortified towns. When compared to the current conditions in the Southern Levant, it is also posited that the archaeological evidence reflects a state of ‘low urbanization’ or ‘slow urbanism’ that is characteristic of North Arabia, indicating a gradual yet notable increase in social complexity throughout the Early and Middle Bronze Ages. The research underscores a transition marked by “slow urbanism” as societies moved from nomadic lifestyles to more settled forms of existence, with fortified oases such as al-Natah facilitating interactions among pastoral nomads. While these settlements were smaller than those found in Mesopotamia or Egypt, this distinctive trajectory of urban development in northwest Arabia was more incremental and tailored to the specific context of the region.
