al-Ukhdud

al-Ukhdūd is the main archaeological site of the large oasis of Najrān, located in southwest Saudi Arabia. It comprises a squared fortified town, housing a hundred structures whose stone basements are well preserved, and several concentrations of residential remains outside the city walls, covering a surface of 50 ha. Thanks to its position, it was an important caravan stop between South Arabia and the rest of the peninsula, both towards the North and the East. From the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, this area was home to the kingdom of Muhaʾmir, whose main city was rgmtm [Ragmatum]. Around the 5th century BCE, the kingdom of Amīr succeded to Muhaʾmir and moved the capital city to ẓrbn [Ẓarbān], corresponding to the ruins of modern al-Ukhdūd. From the 3rd century CE the name ngrn [Najrān], previously used for the oasis, replaced that of Ẓarbān and referred to both the city and the region. It was also used to name the local tribe. The city is mentioned in classic authors: Strabo (πόλεως Νεγράνων); Pliny the Elder (oppidum Negrana); Claudius Ptolemy (μητρόπολις Νάγαρα); Ammianus Marcellinus (civitas Nagara). Dwelling (indeterminate) Dwelling (concentrated) Light hydraulic structure (ex. canal, well) Wells, cisterns Plot of cultivated land Building with political function Rampart Small temple Large temple Church Graveyard Paved road Rock inscriptions