Ancient site · Tomb
Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
Also known as Al-Hijr, Mada'in Salih
The second city of the Nabataean kingdom after Petra, near Al-'Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia. More than 110 well-preserved tombs are carved into sandstone outcrops, many with inscriptions giving their owner and date.
The settlement grew mainly in the 1st century CE under King Aretas IV and passed to Rome in 106 CE. Dry air and no later rebuilding have kept it in excellent condition. It was Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, in 2008.
- Dates
- 1st century BCE – Roman period; tombs mainly 1st century CE
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 26.79° N, 37.95° E
How we know
Many tomb facades carry dated Nabataean inscriptions naming their owners.
Nearby sites
- Petra c. 4th century BCE – 7th century CE; Treasury 1st century CE
- Karnak Temple Complex c. 1970 BCE to Roman times
- Luxor Temple c. 1400 BCE to Roman times
- Hierakonpolis (Nekhen) c. 4000–2686 BCE (main period)
- Abydos c. 4000 BCE – late Roman times
- ʿAin Ghazal c. 7250–5000 BCE