Archaeologists Discover 4,000-Year-Old Ancient Town 'Al-Natah' in Saudi Arabian Oasis

Archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old town hidden within a lush oasis in present-day Saudi Arabia, highlighting transition from a nomic to urban lifestyle in region.

town, Al-Natah, remained a secret within Khaybar's walled oasis—a fertile enclave surrounded by arid desert. 

discovery, led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux and his team, included a  14.5-kilometer wall. se ancient barriers encircled a residential area, providing tangible evidence of organized settlement, according to a recent study.

Dating back to around 2400 BCE during early Bronze Age, Al-Natah is believed to have housed nearly 500 people, emphasizing its importance in historical landscape. findings reveal significant insights into social and architectural developments of time and mark a pivotal shift toward urbanization in this part of Arabian Peninsula.

study's authors noted, “Preliminary archaeological surveys and soundings have revealed a fortified 2.6-hectare town built around 2400-2000 BCE, lasting until at least 1500 BCE, possibly 1300 BCE, though potentially with interruptions. It was functionally divided into residential areas, a likely decision-making zone, and a necropolis.

When Al-Natah was established, cities were developing in Levant along Mediterranean coast, from present-day Syria to Jordan. 

town's walls, hidden by black volcanic basalt rocks, were so well camouflaged that y remained untouched by illegal excavations, according to archaeologist Guillaume Charloux.

Observing area from above allowed researchers to identify paths and house foundations, guiding ir excavation efforts. 

town's clustered dwellings followed a uniform layout, connected by narrow streets. Comparing Al-Natah with neighboring oasis settlements, researchers believe that Bronze Age northwestern Arabia dominated by pastoral nomic communities and alrey part of expansive tre routes was dotted with fortified oases centered around small, walled towns.

In contrast to larger, more vanced cities of Mesopotamia or Egypt, urbanization in northwestern Arabia followed a unique path. Researchers propose that this "slow urbanism," which y describe as a slow shift from nomic to settled life, was distinct to region. Fortified oases like Al-Natah likely encouraged interaction among nomic pastoralists, fostering a subtle but increasing social complexity from Early to Middle Bronze Age. This fast paced growth of urbanization in northwest Arabia reflects a process shaped by region’s environment and culture.