In northwest Saudi Arabia, the desert city of AlUla has become one of the world’s most intriguing emerging destinations. About 1,100 kilometres from Riyadh, this region is known for its sandstone cliffs, oasis valleys and archaeological sites spanning thousands of years. Australians are increasingly stopping here en route to Europe or pairing it with a Middle East trip, drawn by Hegra (Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site), ancient Dadan, and the open-air inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah.
A new permanent exhibition, displayed within the Dadan archaeological site, now adds another layer to AlUla’s story. Titled Illuminating Discoveries – Uncovering the Layers of Dadan’s History, it brings more than 100 newly uncovered artefacts into public view for the first time. Together, they reveal how Dadan — once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms — was a major political centre and a bustling stop along the Incense Road long before the Roman Empire took shape.
The exhibition traces how domesticated camels opened up vast overland routes, allowing Dadan to flourish as a hub of trade and cultural exchange. Pieces on display show just how far these networks reached: Greek figurine fragments, a bone hairpin linked to the Roman or Byzantine world, and inscriptions carved in a south Arabian language.
Archaeologists have also unearthed evidence of textile making, metalwork and everyday craft dating back as early as the 2nd millennium BCE, showing that Dadan was not only connected to distant civilisations but was also home to sophisticated local industries. Several standout pieces include a copper-alloy spearhead from around 400–50 BCE, a terracotta head thought to be part of a Tanagra figurine imported from Greece, and a Lihyanite-era statue with one surviving inlaid eye.
One sandstone inscription fragment likely refers to Wadd, the chief deity worshipped by Minaean traders who once operated in Dadan. Its style mirrors the remarkable inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah, now listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Dr Abdurahman Alsuhaibani, Vice President of Culture at the Royal Commission for AlUla and Co-Director of the Dadan Project, says the discoveries paint a picture of a remarkably sophisticated ancient city. He notes that the artefacts reveal how Dadan connected with surrounding cultures, traded across vast distances and developed advanced craftsmanship long before many other civilisations reached similar levels of complexity.
The exhibition is the result of ongoing Saudi-French archaeological collaborations, including work by the CNRS and AFALULA. More than 100 archaeologists and specialists are currently engaged in AlUla’s most ambitious research season yet, spanning excavations, inscription studies and environmental surveys across multiple sites.
Visitors to AlUla can access the exhibition as part of the Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour, offering an in-depth look at one of the ancient world’s most intriguing crossroads.
More information is available at experiencealula.com.
For more than 30 years, Holidays for Couples has been Australia’s trusted voice in romance travel. From its beginnings as a glossy coffee-table magazine to today’s digital platform, the brand has always championed the best in honeymoons, romantic escapes and stylish getaways for two. The H4C Team curates travel news, hotel openings and destination inspiration, drawing on decades of editorial experience and a passion for helping couples plan unforgettable journeys together.
