Explore the mysteries of AlUla Old Town's labyrinth alleys.

"The oasis of Khaybar, a place of continuous human occupation from prehistoric periods through to today, has been a source of vibrant culture and fresh spring water for millennia. Renowned for being one of the world's most extensive and rich archaeological landscapes, Greater Khaybar is characterized by tens of thousands of late prehistoric stone structures distributed across lava fields and the ancient oasis."

"Tayma was another significant oasis settlement in north-western Arabia. Its historical importance is also largely attributed to its status as a major stopping point along routes of travel from Southern Arabia to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean world, intersecting with the Nafud Desert and trade from the east. Notably, Tayma was home to Nabonidus, the last Neo-Babylonian king, who resided there in the mid-6th century BCE."

"Khaybar, Tayma, Dadan, Qurh, and AlUla Old Town are sites situated in the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia, an area on the ancient incense trade routes. Khaybar and Tayma are both multiperiod oasis sites, whilst Dadan was once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms more than 2000 years ago. Qurh was an early Islamic city, and AlUla Old Town dates from the 12th century to the 20th century CE."

AlUla region hosts major archaeological and historic sites on ancient incense trade routes. Khaybar is a long-occupied oasis with tens of thousands of late prehistoric stone structures across lava fields and the oasis; visible monuments date mainly to the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, and occupation may extend to at least 300,000 years. Six basalt hill forts link to early 7th-century CE Muslim presence. Tayma served as a key oasis stop between Southern Arabia, Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean and was home to Nabonidus in the mid-6th century BCE. Dadan was the capital of Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms over 2000 years ago. Qurh was an early Islamic city. AlUla Old Town spans the 12th–20th centuries CE.

Read at World History Encyclopedia