Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier
Iron Age (900-100 BCE)·Lihyanite/Dedanite·🇸🇦 Al Ula, Medina, Saudi Arabia
About
About Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier
Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier 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 enclosure 6 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 26.6094N 37.9136E 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
- 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
- Excavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction of Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 779 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier
1973–2013
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
26.6094° N · 37.9136° E · 800 m · 3 mapped features
Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier — Main Rock_Cut Feature
dromosPrimary dromos at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
26.6108° N · 37.9128° EAl Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier — Secondary Enclosure
structureAncillary structure at Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
26.6096° N · 37.9149° EAl Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art Panel
enclosureOutlier enclosure panel linked to Al Ula Dedan Necropolis Lion Tomb Access Ridge — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape
26.6112° N · 37.9147° E