ALULA — Recent archaeological work at Dadan in AlUla has uncovered new evidence that fills a long-standing gap in the history of northwest Arabia, demonstrating that the region was continuously inhabited from the Nabataean period through to the early Islamic era.
The discoveries were made by a joint team from the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Their findings, published in Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, document human activity in Wadi al-Qura between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE for the first time.
For many years, historians believed this era represented a period of decline, assuming that permanent settlement largely disappeared after the end of Nabataean rule. The new archaeological evidence challenges this assumption and points instead to long-term continuity.
A long-lasting settlement
The conclusions are based on excavations conducted from 2021 to 2023 under the Dadan Archaeological Project, a collaborative initiative involving RCU, CNRS, and AFALULA.
Researchers uncovered a sizable architectural complex dating to the late 3rd or early 4th century CE. Remarkably, the site remained in use until the first half of the 7th century CE. It is located within the Dadan area, less than one kilometer south of the ancient city.
This represents the first comprehensive archaeological confirmation of an enduring settlement in Wadi al-Qura from the early 5th century up to the period just before the rise of Islam.
Evidence of an organized community
Excavations revealed a well-planned settlement layout, featuring structured rooms and courtyards, a central open space, and an advanced water-management system that included a well, basin, and channels.
Signs of farming, food storage, meal preparation, and craft production indicate a stable and organized population, rather than a short-term or declining occupation.
Scientific analysis of daily life
The research team employed a multidisciplinary approach, analyzing ceramics, stone tools, plant remains, animal bones, and geological data. These methods provided detailed insights into diet, agricultural practices, and oasis life during a time of major cultural and economic change in the region.
Rethinking Wadi al-Qura’s past
The findings suggest that Wadi al-Qura did not experience a break in settlement between the 4th and 6th centuries CE, as previously believed. Instead, the area appears to have supported a socially and economically active community that maintained its architectural traditions and resource systems right up to the dawn of the Islamic period.
Dr. Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, Vice President of Culture within RCU’s Tourism Sector and a contributor to the study, said the discoveries reveal an essential chapter in AlUla’s history.
“These results show that AlUla was part of a thriving settlement network in the centuries leading up to Islam,” he said, adding that the research strengthens understanding of long-term social continuity in northwest Arabia.
The discovery highlights RCU’s commitment to international archaeological research and reinforces AlUla’s growing role as a global hub for the study of Arabian history.
