Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace
Iron Age (900-100 BCE)·Lihyanite/Dedanite·🇸🇦 Al Ula, Medina, Saudi Arabia
About
About Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace
Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace 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 necropolis 12 × 5 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 26.6171N 37.9189E 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
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
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
- Excavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction of Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace main structure
c. 791 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace
1969–2017
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
26.6171° N · 37.9189° E · 817 m · 4 mapped features
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — Main Rock_Cut FeaturestructurePrimary structure at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits26.6155° N · 37.9190° E
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits26.6156° N · 37.9189° E
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier rock_art panel linked to Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape26.6182° N · 37.9175° E
- Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace — Hydraulic/Cistern AnnexhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Western Terrace with plastered basin26.6156° N · 37.9204° E