Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension
Iron Age (900-100 BCE)·Lihyanite/Dedanite·🇸🇦 Al Ula, Medina, Saudi Arabia
About
About Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension
Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension in Al Ula, Medina, Saudi Arabia is a Iron Age (900-100 BCE) rock_cut attributed to Lihyanite/Dedanite. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal platform 9 × 5 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 26.6095N 37.9169E controls access to Al Ula, Medina resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey rock_cut for Al Ula, Medina, illustrating Lihyanite/Dedanite construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 600 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age (900-100 BCE)
- Culture
- Lihyanite/Dedanite
- Purpose
- Rock-cut tomb / hypogeum with funerary function
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction of Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension main structure
c. 718 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
26.6095° N · 37.9169° E · 805 m · 3 mapped features
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension — Main Rock_Cut FeaturemoundPrimary mound at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension — burial gallery with stratified deposits26.6078° N · 37.9186° E
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension — Secondary EnclosuredromosAncillary dromos at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension — platform mound with stratified deposits26.6085° N · 37.9154° E
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art PanelstructureOutlier structure panel linked to Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape26.6088° N · 37.9178° E