Buried City of Canal Enclosure
Canal Enclosure
Andean Formative (1800–200 BCE)·Andean Formative·🇸🇦 Asir Province, Saudi Arabia
About
About Buried City of Canal Enclosure
Buried City of Canal Enclosure in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia is a Andean Formative (1800–200 BCE) buried city attributed to Andean Formative culture. Systematically investigated through photogrammetry and test trenching, it presents a central mound with necropolis. Construction employs rubble core with facing and demonstrates long-distance exchange. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Andean Formative buried-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Population scale vs catchment
- 02Astronomical alignment and orientation
Theories
- 01Elite residence and administrative centre
- 02Defensive refuge and tribal capital
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. 426 BCE
- Period
- Andean Formative (1800–200 BCE)
- Culture
- Andean Formative
- Purpose
- Agricultural and hydraulic
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 426 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 367 BCE
Secondary construction phase
c. 351 CE
Abandonment and gradual burial
1970
Archaeological identification via aerial survey
On the ground
Structures & features
18.4804° N · 41.1433° E · 91 m · 4 mapped features
Temple Platform
structureOutlier feature with alignments
18.4804° N · 41.1422° EOutlier Panel
cisternBurial zone — shaft tombs
18.4805° N · 41.1422° EGateway
cairnBurial zone — tumuli
18.4808° N · 41.1403° EGateway 4
altarPrimary buried city at Buried City of Canal Enclosure — megalithic chamber
18.4811° N · 41.1411° E