In Saudi Arabia’s North Arabian Desert, researchers have recently discovered a long wall encircling the Khaybar Oasis. Dating back 4,000 years, this defensive structure was likely built to protect against threats, both human and natural, enclosing one of the oldest oases in the region.
Originally stretching nine miles in length and towering at 16 feet tall, the wall has undergone significant decay over time. Today, it exists at just 41% of its original length, with only 74 of its original 180 bastions still standing.
Constructed between 2250 and 1950 B.C.E., the wall enclosed more than 2,700 acres of land and played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape of northwestern Arabia. These fortified oases served as safeguards against nomadic raids and environmental degradation, also serving as markers of territorial authority.
The construction of the Khaybar Oasis wall marked a shift from nomadic to settled lifestyles in the area. It is estimated to have taken approximately four years to complete, requiring extensive manpower and the utilization of millions of cubic feet of stone and brick.
For at least four centuries, the wall served its purpose before being abandoned between 1626 and 1542 B.C.E. Ongoing archaeological endeavors at Khaybar hold the promise of uncovering more about this ancient edifice and its historical significance.
