Hegra — Mada'in Salih
الحجر / مدائن صالح
Saudi Arabia · Medina
In brief
Hegra is one of the best-preserved Nabataean centres south of Petra. Alongside the rock-cut tombs, archaeological work documented the walled settlement, sanctuaries, wells and Roman military presence.
What was found?
- 1Monumental rock-cut tombs
The rock-cut tombs with decorated facades are major examples of Nabataean architecture. Their decoration brings together architectural influences from different regions.
- 2Mudbrick residential neighborhoods
Most of the houses, separated by streets and narrow passageways, were built of mudbrick. The remains show that Hegra was a living city alongside its cemeteries.
- 3Roman military camp
The camp uncovered by the French-Saudi excavation team documents the Roman military presence in the city. It is important evidence of use after the Nabataean period.
- 4Greek and Latin soldiers' inscriptions
These are inscriptions by soldiers associated with Roman legions and auxiliary units. They provide direct written evidence that soldiers were stationed at Hegra.
- 5Water wells
The wells, most of them cut into the rock, formed the water infrastructure supporting life and agriculture in the oasis. They demonstrate the Nabataeans' technical knowledge of accessing water.
What does it point to?
Hegra indicates that life along the caravan route was organized around well-irrigated agriculture, houses, and monumental tombs. The camp and soldiers' inscriptions show that the city also assumed a military function under Roman rule.
What did it teach us?
- It showed that Nabataean urban life included mudbrick neighborhoods alongside rock-cut tombs.
- It documented the presence of Roman soldiers at Hegra through a camp and inscriptions.
- It revealed that wells supported agriculture in a desert environment.
Images
Record
- Culture
- Nabataean and Roman
- Team / historical
- Hegra Archaeological Project; Abdullah Basonbol and Pauline Piraud-Fournet
- Coordinates
- 26.7836°, 37.9550°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Petra 464 km
- Dendera Archaeological Site 531 km
- Karnak Temple Complex 541 km
- Valley of the Kings 546 km
- Abydos 604 km
- Ain Ghazal 610 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
From beneath the soil: latest discoveries
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Arkeofili ↗ · Excavation notebook - New prehistoric settlement identified on the shore of the Dardanelles
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Arkeoloji Dergisi ↗
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Türkiye
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