Unearthing the Ancient City of Dadan (Full Episode) | Lost Treasures of Arabia | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms: Ancient pre-Islamic civilizations in the AlUla region (c. 1000 BCE – 200 BCE).
• Incense Route: A lucrative ancient trade network transporting frankincense, myrrh, and spices from South Arabia to the north.
• Dadanitic/Lihyanite Script: The ancient North Arabian writing systems used for record-keeping and funerary inscriptions.
• Photogrammetry: A technical process of creating 3D models from overlapping, georeferenced photographs.
• Epigraphy: The study and interpretation of ancient inscriptions.
• Archaeozoology: The study of animal remains to understand human-animal relationships and ritual practices.

---

1. Main Topics and Archaeological Mission

The video documents a five-year archaeological mission in the Ancient City of Dadan, led by Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani and Jérôme Rohmer. The primary goal is to reconstruct the history of the Dadanite and Lihyanite civilizations, which served as a vital oasis and trading hub. The team utilizes modern technology to analyze urban layout, agricultural sustainability, and funerary practices.

2. The Economy of Dadan: The Incense Trade

Dadan’s prosperity was built on its strategic position along the incense trade route.

• Economic Model: The city functioned as a major transit hub where the kingdom levied taxes on passing caravans.
• Minaean Influence: Inscriptions in the Minaic language (from Yemen) confirm the presence of a Minaean merchant colony, indicating a direct link between Dadan and the source of incense production in South Arabia.

3. Methodology and Technical Processes

• Excavation Strategy: The team uses "phasing" to understand the chronological development of the city. They analyze "dump" sites (refuse) and architectural remains to determine the timeline of occupation.
• Agricultural Analysis: Soil specialist Louise Purdue identified ancient agricultural surfaces, confirming that the Dadanites successfully cultivated palm trees, which was essential for sustaining a large urban population in an arid environment.
• 3D Reconstruction: The team employs photogrammetry to document sites and artifacts, allowing for precise digital preservation and analysis.

4. Funerary Practices and Rituals

• The Lion Tombs: Located near Dadan, these monumental rock-cut tombs suggest a strong belief in the afterlife and indicate that the city housed a wealthy elite.
• The Quarry Discovery: The team investigated a quarry site that doubled as a ritual space. They discovered:
  • Offering Tables: Stone structures with spouts for liquid offerings.
  • Animal Remains: Archaeozoologist Hervé Monchot identified selected animal bones (tibias) as ritual offerings to deities.
  • The Curse Inscription: Epigraphist Fokelien Kootstra deciphered a curse on a stone tablet, warning against the desecration of the tomb, which provided the team with the necessary context to locate a burial site.

5. Warfare and Defense

• Defensive Infrastructure: Jérôme Rohmer identified an 85-meter-long defensive wall blocking a mountain pass, suggesting the city faced significant threats, likely from competing oases like Tayma.
• Strategic Observation: Archaeologist Ömer Aksoy noted that rock art depicts archers and daggers, providing insights into weaponry. The landscape was used for signaling via fire to warn of approaching hostile forces.
• The Babylonian Threat: Historical records indicate that King Nabonidus of Babylon campaigned in Northern Arabia, likely overthrowing the Dadanite kings to seize control of the trade routes.

6. Notable Quotes

• Jérôme Rohmer: "What we're doing is trying to reconstruct ancient civilizations based on broken buildings and the dump left by people."
• Jérôme Rohmer: "What's really fascinating with archaeology is that you never reach the absolute truth. You always have to be cautious, and never pretend that you found the truth. You're only making a hypothesis."
• Laïla Nehmé: Regarding the mountain guards: "They say... [inscriptions]... Dadan. From here, he has a beautiful view."

7. Synthesis and Conclusion

The archaeological mission in Dadan successfully transitioned from theoretical research to physical discovery. By integrating epigraphy, soil science, and traditional excavation, the team confirmed that Dadan was a sophisticated, wealthy, and highly organized society. The discovery of a burial site at the end of the season provided critical data on the health and funerary customs of the population. The findings highlight that Dadan was not merely a desert town, but a central node in a complex, interconnected ancient world defined by trade, religious ritual, and geopolitical competition.