Saudi Arabia: Al Ula – Ancient Dadan

Saudi Arabia holds archeological treasures that can easily stand ground against Greece and Ancient Rome The red rocks around the town of Al Ula hold sites belonging to four civilizations – Dadan, Lyhian, Nabatean, and early Arabic. Dadan was the oldest of the four, ruling the Arabian peninsula from 9th century BC to around the 2nd century BC. Dadan was the empire’s capital, situated north of the present -day Al Ula and many tombs and inscriptions have been discovered, providing a very detailed description of the Dadan history, economy and societal structure and language. There are tombs with lions engraved above them (albeit no access is allowed close) since the excavations are ongoing.