AWAS Exhibition

AlUla has an extraordinarily rich and varied cultural heritage landscape that both surprises and intrigues the visitor in equal measure. The ambitious archaeological research programme currently consisting of twelve survey, excavation and scientific projects with over 200 archaeologists and specialists working across the landscape are deepened our understanding of the past environment, land use and human occupation of the region.

The exhibition curated specifically for the AlUla World Archaeology Symposium 2024 shows that for millennia peoples have crossed through the region. Whether following herds, driving camel caravans laden with incense, or as devotes following the Hajj, people have paused here, leaving an enduring legacy. This legacy ranges widely from monumental architecture of the prehistoric periods, rock art and inscriptions to the intangible relics discernible in the influences on art, culture, tradition and belief.

Prehistory

For hundreds of thousands of years peoples moved through the AlUla landscape as itinerant hunter gatherers. Archaeological evidence of these early travellers is sparce, mostly consisting of worked stone tools such as handaxes. But evidence becomes less ephemeral in later prehistory with the appearance of megalithic monuments such as animal traps and enigmatic ritual structures called mustatils that signal a change in relationship with the land. With the emergence of animal domestication and later agriculture the social and economic modality changes dramatically with increased sedentism evidenced by evolution of domestic and urban architecture during the Neolithic and Bronze ages. From that point the relationship between those who settled and those who continued to move becomes more dynamic and in many ways, difficult to decern in the archaeological record. But what is emerging now from archaeological research is a picture of increasingly complex patterns of landscape utilization and interactions between settlements/oases and communities who continued to maintain a mobile, pastoralist lifeway.

Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms

Urban centres developed and flourish during the late Bronze and Iron ages following the domestication of the camel that enabled and expanded overland trade that, in turn, elevated the importance of oases that sustained the caravans that carried incense and other high value goods from southern Arabia to Egypt, Levant and the Mediterranean. Strategically positioned along this ‘Incense Road’, Dadan emerged as one of the most prominent urban centres in Arabia during the 1st millennium BCE. Recent archaeological evidence reveals a sophisticated city of complex architectural, social and religious structures, as well as clear influences of art, architecture and belief from the interactions with the trading markets of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. These influences can be seen most clearly in stylistic elements of statuary from Dadan and the associated mountain sanctuary of Umm Daraj.

In the 1st century BCE, trade and cultural exchange in the AlUla valley continued and strengthened with the establishment of the Nabataean city of Hegra. Second only to the mighty trade city of Petra, Hegra controlled the Incense Road and the southern border of the Kingdom. Exotic artefacts discovered during excavations at Hegra including wild silk fabric, ceramics, and coins evidence the interconnected and cosmopolitan nature of the city at that time.

Following the Roman annexation of the Nabataean Kingdom in 106 CE, Hegra became one of the empire’s most remote outposts, further emphasising the economic significance of the area in interregional trade.

Islamic Era

The emergence of Islam in the 7th century CE, and the devotional pilgrimage to the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, travel through AlUla and wider region intensified considerably. While overland trade dwindled in favour of ships and the Red Sea trade routes, peoples travelled in increasing numbers along the old Incense Road. The communities of AlUla and the other oases pivoted to sustain the caravans of pilgrims that arrived hungry and thirsty in increasing numbers.

Hegra and Dadan were mostly abandoned and the main settlement moved southwards, to Qurh, which became an integral stop on the great Syrian pilgrimage route, described as one of the greatest cities of western Arabia behind Medinah and Makkah. The wonders of this huge city are only just being discovered as its grand houses and well-ordered streets emerge from beneath the sands of the vast Qurh Plain. Greek amphora and Chinese pottery evidence its global connections, and the beautifully decorated Islamic ceramics and decorated courtyard houses show a confident and sophisticated society. But by the 13th century Qurh was deserted and AlUla 'Old Town', located in the centre of the valley near Dadan, became the main settlement and remained so until the 1980s.

In the early 20th Century, modern mobility arrived in the form of a railway that was constructed between Damascus and Medina that carried pilgrims, cutting the Haj journey from over forty days to just four.

Now tourists, drawn to the many cultural and natural wonders of AlUla, are the latest travellers, continuing a 200,000 year tradition.

Showcase 1: Prehistory

Levallois cores are a distinctive stone tool technology developed by early humans during the Middle Palaeolithic period, around 300,000 to 30,000 years ago. Characterized by a sophisticated method of flaking, Levallois cores involved pre-shaping a stone to produce consistently sized flakes or tools with a single strike. This "prepared-core" technique reflects advanced planning, precision, and understanding of raw material properties. The resulting tools, including blades and scrapers, were versatile and efficient, used for cutting, scraping, and hunting tasks. The Levallois technique marks a significant advancement in cognitive abilities and tool-making craftsmanship, illustrating complex behaviours in hominin societies and their adaptive evolution.

Acheulean hand axes are prehistoric stone tools associated with Homo erectus and early Homo sapiens, dating between 1.7 million to 100,000 years ago. Originating during the Lower Palaeolithic era, they have a distinctive teardrop shape, symmetrical flaking, and bifacial design, with sharp edges for cutting and chopping. These versatile tools, often made from flint or other fine-grained stone, were used for tasks like butchering animals, digging, and woodworking. Acheulean hand axes demonstrate early human ingenuity and complex toolmaking skills, representing a significant leap in cognitive and technological evolution, shaping human survival and cultural development across ancient landscapes, originating in Africa and spreading across Europe and Asia, via Arabia.

Bronze Age, bronze axe heads, dating from around 3300 to 1200 BCE, marked a pivotal shift in toolmaking and societal development. Crafted by casting molten bronze—a blend of copper and tin—into molds, these axes were more durable and effective than earlier stone versions. They served multiple functions: as tools for woodworking, agricultural tasks, and as symbols of status and power. Many featured intricate designs, reflecting the craftsmanship and status of their owners. Bronze axes could be hafted for better control, enhancing their utility in both everyday life and combat. Their production underscores the era’s advances in metalworking, trade, and technology.

Bronze Age gold beads, often crafted with exceptional skill, reflect the era’s increasing social stratification, wealth, and artistic expression. Dating from around 3300 to 1200 BCE, these beads were frequently included in burials as grave goods, symbolizing status, power, and connections to spiritual beliefs. Crafted by hammering, rolling, or perforating gold, they could form necklaces, bracelets, or adornments for clothing. The sourcing of gold for such beads often involved long-distance trade, demonstrating the period's extensive exchange networks. Their exquisite design highlights the era's mastery of metalworking and the role of gold in reflecting prestige, beauty, and cultural identity within ancient societies.

Neolithic tanged arrowheads, dating from around 10,000 to 4,500 BCE, reflect advancements in hunting and tool-making. Unlike earlier, more rudimentary projectile points, tanged arrowheads featured a distinct "tang," or narrow stem, designed to be inserted and securely bound into a shaft. Made primarily from flint, chert, or obsidian, these carefully shaped points often had barbed edges to enhance their effectiveness in hunting or combat. Tanged arrowheads demonstrate the Neolithic emphasis on specialized tool use, enhanced precision, and evolving craftsmanship, supporting agricultural societies' needs for efficient hunting and defense. They highlight human ingenuity during this transformative period of settled life.

Fenestrated bronze axe heads, a unique development during the Bronze Age, featured decorative openings or "windows" in their blade or body. These axes, dating from around 2000 to 1000 BCE, combined both functional and symbolic roles. While some retained practical use in cutting and chopping, many served as ceremonial or prestige items, emphasizing their owners' status or religious significance. The fenestrations often lightened the axe head, making it visually striking and demonstrating the metallurgical skill of the time. Their intricate designs and craftsmanship illustrate the technological advances and social complexity of Bronze Age societies, where functional tools also conveyed identity and power.

Bronze Age funerary traditions often involved elaborate burial practices reflecting social status, beliefs about the afterlife, and cultural customs. Tombs varied from simple pit burials to grand tombs and megalithic structures. Grave goods, including pottery, weapons, ornaments, and tools, were placed with the deceased to signify their social standing or aid their journey in the afterlife. Beads were particularly significant, often made from precious materials like amber, faience, glass, or semi-precious stones, symbolizing wealth, protection, and spiritual beliefs. Strung into necklaces, bracelets, or amulets, beads were cherished items reflecting trade networks, craftsmanship, and cultural identity across Bronze Age societies.

Showcase 2: Ancient Kingdoms

A stone inscription depicting a camel rider from the Dadanite period offers a glimpse into the society's cultural and religious landscape. The carving, with its detailed portrayal of a rider and camel, signifies the importance of trade, travel, and status. This inscription includes a reference to 'Asl (or Afkal),' possibly a prominent priest, highlighting the interconnected roles of religion, leadership, and daily life. Asl's mention perhaps indicates his significance within the religious hierarchy, possibly involved in ceremonial activities linked to the worship of Dadanite deities. Such inscriptions not only commemorate historical figures but also reflect the spiritual, economic, and social dynamics of the era.

Dadanite stone statues, crafted as ex-votos, served both devotional and commemorative functions in the ancient Dadanite culture, centered in present-day AlUla, Saudi Arabia. These statues, often depicting human figures, were typically dedicated at temples or sacred sites, such as Umm Daraj, to honor deities, seek divine favor, or fulfill vows. The style ranged from simple, abstract forms to detailed carvings, reflecting artistic skill and cultural values. Some statues displayed inscribed dedications, offering insights into the language and religious practices of the time. The ex-voto statues symbolized piety, gratitude, and community identity, bridging spiritual devotion with artistic expression in Dadanite society’s religious practices.

Frankincense, a resin extracted from trees of the Boswellia species, and myrrh a resin from the Commiphora tree, both grown in the southern Arabian Peninsula were core to ritual and religion from at least the first millennium. The high demand, its rarity and the efforts to transport over long distances made it a very expensive product. These small frankincense burners show the importance of frankincense in antiquity.

During the Dadanite period in ancient Arabia, incense burners played a central role in religious and social rituals. Crafted from stone, metal, or pottery, these burners often featured intricate carvings and designs, reflecting their cultural and spiritual significance. Incense, such as frankincense and myrrh, was burned to create aromatic smoke used in ceremonies, offerings, and temple rituals, symbolizing purification, divine communication, and reverence. The use of incense not only facilitated spiritual practices but also indicated wealth and trade connections, as these aromatic resins were highly valued commodities. Dadanite incense burners thus embodied both practical and sacred dimensions within religious life.

Roman terracotta oil lamps, widely used from the 1st century BCE through the Roman Empire's expansion, were a crucial part of daily life, providing light in homes, public spaces, and temples. Typically crafted from clay and fired in kilns, these lamps featured a central reservoir for oil—often olive oil—and a spout for the wick. Designs ranged from simple, utilitarian forms to intricately decorated examples with motifs of gods, animals, or scenes of daily life, reflecting regional artistry and cultural influences. Beyond their practical function, terracotta lamps often carried symbolic and decorative significance, used in religious rituals, funerary practices, and as offerings.

Coins excavated at Hegra reveal a fascinating narrative of continuous habitation and cultural transitions from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Coins minted by Dadanites, Lihyanites, Nabataeans, and Romans signify the site's historical and economic importance. The collection includes coins bearing the images of Aretas IV, one of the most powerful Nabataean kings, and Roman emperors such as Trajan, who oversaw Roman annexation of Nabataean territories. Additionally, coins depicting Philippus Caesar and Empress Herennia Etruscilla reflect Hegra’s enduring integration within the Roman Empire’s expansive sphere, underscoring the site's enduring regional significance.

Showcase 3: Ancient Kingdoms

A stone inscription depicting a camel rider from the Dadanite period offers a glimpse into the society's cultural and religious landscape. The carving, with its detailed portrayal of a rider and camel, signifies the importance of trade, travel, and status. This inscription includes a reference to 'Asl (or Afkal),' possibly a prominent priest, highlighting the interconnected roles of religion, leadership, and daily life. Asl's mention perhaps indicates his significance within the religious hierarchy, possibly involved in ceremonial activities linked to the worship of Dadanite deities. Such inscriptions not only commemorate historical figures but also reflect the spiritual, economic, and social dynamics of the era.

Dadanite stone statues, crafted as ex-votos, served both devotional and commemorative functions in the ancient Dadanite culture, centered in present-day AlUla, Saudi Arabia. These statues, often depicting human figures, were typically dedicated at temples or sacred sites, such as Umm Daraj, to honor deities, seek divine favor, or fulfill vows. The style ranged from simple, abstract forms to detailed carvings, reflecting artistic skill and cultural values. Some statues displayed inscribed dedications, offering insights into the language and religious practices of the time. The ex-voto statues symbolized piety, gratitude, and community identity, bridging spiritual devotion with artistic expression in Dadanite society’s religious practices.

Frankincense, a resin extracted from trees of the Boswellia species, and myrrh a resin from the Commiphora tree, both grown in the southern Arabian Peninsula were core to ritual and religion from at least the first millennium. The high demand, its rarity and the efforts to transport over long distances made it a very expensive product. These small frankincense burners show the importance of frankincense in antiquity.

During the Dadanite period in ancient Arabia, incense burners played a central role in religious and social rituals. Crafted from stone, metal, or pottery, these burners often featured intricate carvings and designs, reflecting their cultural and spiritual significance. Incense, such as frankincense and myrrh, was burned to create aromatic smoke used in ceremonies, offerings, and temple rituals, symbolizing purification, divine communication, and reverence. The use of incense not only facilitated spiritual practices but also indicated wealth and trade connections, as these aromatic resins were highly valued commodities. Dadanite incense burners thus embodied both practical and sacred dimensions within religious life.

Showcase 4: Islamic

Pilgrim flasks discovered at archaeological sites along the Great Syrian Hajj route illustrate the essential provisions and rituals of travelers undertaking the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. Typically crafted from ceramic, glass, or metal, these flasks featured a flattened body with small handles, making them easily portable and suited for carrying water, oil, or other liquids. Pilgrims often filled them with sacred water from holy sites, using them as both practical vessels and mementos of their journey. The flasks' widespread presence along the route reflects centuries of cultural exchange, devotion, and the logistical support network facilitating the pilgrimage across vast distances.

This early Islamic bowl fragment, dating to the 9th or 10th century and discovered at the ancient city site of Qurh, exemplifies the sophisticated craftsmanship and artistic expression of its era. The bowl features vibrant green, yellow, and brown glazes with intricate geometric and floral motifs, reflecting the influence of early Islamic decorative arts. The Arabic inscription on the fragment demonstrates the period's emphasis on calligraphy, likely conveying blessings, phrases of piety, or ownership marks. Such ceramics were highly valued in daily and ceremonial use, illustrating Qurh's role as a significant trading hub and center for Islamic culture and art.

This early Islamic bowl fragment, dated to the 9th or 10th century and discovered at the ancient city site of Qurh, showcases exquisite lustre decoration, a hallmark of Islamic ceramic artistry. The golden-brown metallic sheen, achieved through a complex firing process, reflects light beautifully and symbolizes the era's technical mastery and artistic innovation. Intricate floral and geometric motifs adorn the surface, demonstrating both aesthetic elegance and cultural symbolism. Lustreware ceramics like this were highly prized in Islamic societies, serving as luxury items that highlighted Qurh’s role in the broader trade networks and artistic traditions of the early Islamic period.

The simple Morse key, an essential device for transmitting Morse code, played a pivotal role in communication along the overland telegraph route that paralleled the Hejaz Railway in the early 20th century. This telegraph line enhanced communication across the Arabian Peninsula, linking distant regions and facilitating rapid message exchanges, including political, military, and trade information. Operators used Morse keys to tap out messages in dots and dashes, revolutionizing the speed of communication in the region. The telegraph’s presence alongside the Railway underscores the blend of traditional and modern infrastructure, reflecting technological advances that reshaped commerce, administration, and connectivity in the area.