Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 4,000-year-old settlement in northwest Saudi Arabia, marking a significant discovery in understanding the early urbanization of the Arabian Peninsula.

A joint French-Saudi research team found the ancient town, named al-Natah, within the walled oasis of Khaybar, a fertile area surrounded by desert.

This find, believed to date back to approximately 2400 BC, offers evidence of a transition in the region from a nomadic to an urban lifestyle, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One.

1. Archaeologists find 4,000-year-old Bronze Age town in Saudi Arabia
where nearly 500 people used to live. French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, along with Saudi researchers, discovered the al-Natah settlement close to the Khaybar Oasis.
According to the researchers, ..2 pic.twitter.com/riESTGWLje

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The settlement, covering an estimated 2.6 hectares, likely housed around 500 residents in about 50 multi-story homes.

“The well-structured community was surrounded by protective ramparts and also included a probable decision-making zone and a necropolis, containing metal weapons and stone such as agate,” French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, who led the study, told AFP.

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Charloux’s team believes that the town was home to a powerful leader, a theory supported by the approximately 16-foot high ramparts surrounding the settlement.

The discovery provides a window into the social structure and development of early urban centers in the region.

Researchers found evidence of a necropolis, or burial site, with metal weapons and agate stones, suggesting a community that engaged in trade and was sufficiently organized to require defense structures and designated areas for governance.

Al-Natah was abandoned between 1500 and 1300 BC, and researchers are investigating potential causes for the town’s decline. According to Charloux and his team, the reasons may include environmental changes, depletion of local resources, or a shift in regional trade routes. “The discovery revealed a ‘slow urbanism’ process,” Charloux explained, indicating a gradual urban development before the eventual abandonment of the town.

The ancient oasis of Khaybar, where al-Natah was located, sits within the larger context of the Arabian Peninsula’s historical shift toward urbanization.

With fertile lands amid desert surroundings, Khaybar provided an ideal setting for early settlements to flourish.

Researchers suggest that al-Natah’s abandonment may have resulted from both natural and economic factors affecting the region’s sustainability for urban communities.

The ongoing excavation at Khaybar and study of al-Natah are part of a broader effort by Saudi Arabia and international researchers to uncover the ancient history of the Arabian Peninsula.

This collaboration has revealed insights into early urban planning, the sociopolitical structure of ancient communities, and the environmental factors that influenced settlements in the region.

The research team continues to explore the area for additional clues, with hopes of piecing together more about the daily lives of al-Natah’s residents and the factors that led to their eventual departure.

The al-Natah discovery adds to a growing body of archaeological findings in Saudi Arabia, where several ancient sites have been uncovered in recent years.

This endeavor showcases Saudi Arabia’s ambition to grow its historical tourism industry, pursuant to its Vision 2030 objective which targets the enrichment of the country’s economy and the celebration of its cultural history.