A major site of the Nabataean civilisation

The Nabataean settlement of Hegra was founded in about the 2nd century BCE, and lies north of AlUla and the ancient capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite Kingdoms at Dadan (modern al-Khuraybah). The precise relationship between the different kingdoms remains a subject of debate. However, they are testament to the significance of the oasis valley at the heart of AlUla to the settlers and travellers that have journeyed through its landscape for thousands of years.
Excavations at the centre of Hegra have revealed areas of the city, now largely buried beneath the sands. The monumental tombs of Hegra remain its most evident features, dominating the landscape and visible from great distances.
At the centre of this image sits Qasr al-Farid (meaning unique or alone), one of the most iconic tombs of Hegra. Cut into a single large rock, isolated from the other tomb groups formed in outcrops, it features architectural elements not seen elsewhere at the site. These include the use of a total of four Nabataean columns or pilasters – two in the middle of the facade and two lateral columns – rather than the usual two columns seen elsewhere. It is also an example of Hegra’s unfinished tombs, specifically the lower third as indicated by the depth of the entrance. The unfinished tombs at the site have provided important clues about how these monumental structures were carved by the Nabataean craftsmen.