Context:
Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town in Saudi Arabia, illustrating the gradual shift from nomadic to urban lifestyles.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Discovering Al-Natah: A Bronze Age Marvel
The excavation at Khaybar oasis, led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, has unearthed Al-Natah, shedding light on a sophisticated Bronze Age town that existed between 2400 and 1500 BCE. This significant archaeological find challenges previous notions about societal structures during that era and highlights the advanced urban planning of the time.
Features of Al-Natah
- Organized Settlement: Al-Natah demonstrates the presence of an organized settlement during a period traditionally thought to be dominated by nomadic pastoral societies. This finding indicates a more complex social and economic structure than previously recognized.
- Town Structure: The town was strategically enclosed by a 14.5-kilometer wall and spanned an area of 2.6 hectares. It supported a population of up to 500 residents, suggesting a well-established community.
- Architecture: Residents lived in multi-story dwellings made of stone and mudbrick, arranged around narrow paths that connected the various parts of the town. This layout not only optimized space but also facilitated social and economic interactions among the inhabitants.
- Socioeconomic Role: Al-Natah likely functioned as a center for agricultural production and trade. The cooperative society here managed to sustain itself in an arid environment, indicating advanced knowledge of agriculture and resource management.
- Cultural and Social Insights: The layout of the town included designated burial sites, with the presence of some graves and tiered towers possibly indicating higher social status among certain residents.
Comparison with Al Faw
Al-Natah shares similarities with another ancient town in southern Saudi Arabia, Al Faw, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both towns highlight the region’s historical significance and the unexpected complexity of early urban settlements in what is now Saudi Arabia.
-Source: The Hindu
