Archaeologists have discovered a striking 4,000-year-old fortification in the desert

The ancient fort served as a home and salvation from enemies

A huge fortification 4 thousand years old was discovered in Saudi Arabia. Scientists believed that the region had been inhabited by people for several centuries. This is indicated by fresh water sources found during excavations and the vital activity of different animal species.

Photo: freepik.com

Archaeologists have discovered a massive ancient fortification surrounding the Khaybar oasis in the Northern Arabian Desert. It is considered one of the two largest fortifications in Saudi Arabia found by scientists.

The oases in the region have been inhabited by people for 4000-5000 years. Fed by freshwater sources such as underground rivers and high groundwater levels, these areas can become vibrant, lush sanctuaries for plants and animals. Man-made aquifers and canals could help irrigate areas, making them suitable for long-term settlement.

The newly discovered fortification was discovered by scientists from the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France and the Saudi Arabian archaeological commission, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula. The found fortifications at Khaybar once stretched over 14.5 kilometers and were between 1.7 and 2.4 meters thick, according to field research and remote sensing data. The fortress walls could reach 5 meters in height, and the fortress itself covered an area of ​​almost 1,100 hectares.

The team estimated that the settlement walls were built between 2250 and 1950 BC, based on radiocarbon dating of samples, collected during excavations.

Today, 4 thousand years later, less than half the length of the walls and 74 protruding structures designed for defensive fire have been preserved.

Recall that in the north-west of Saudi Arabia many walled oases dating back to the Bronze Age were discovered century. During this time period, fortified settlements became colossal, including European «megaforts».

“Some of the largest sites have been known for several years, such as Gradiste Ijos — in modern Serbia, Canadpalota, Santana — in Hungary or the mind-blowing Cornesti Iarkuri — in Romania, surrounded by 33 km of ditches and larger than modern citadels and fortifications of the Hittites, Mycenaeans or Egyptians,” says University College Dublin (UCD) associate professor Barry Molloy.

The Arabian deserts are home to some of the oldest fortifications in the world, including the largest recognizable stone fortress in the world, the Aleppo Citadel in Syria, which was inhabited for 4500 years. At the end of 2023, the world's oldest fortress was discovered in Siberia, dating back 8 thousand years.

The fortification of the Khaybar oasis belonged to a network of walled oases in the region. Why it was built and the nature of the society that built it are still mysteries. But the discovery sheds new light on human life in northwestern Saudi Arabia and adds detail to our understanding of social complexity in the pre-Islamic period.