by Musherf Alamri
Approximately 4 kilometer (km) east of the fortress and across the palm farms, individuals can visit Dawmat Al Jandal Lake, which spans nearly 3 km and was created in the 1980s as a water reservoir for irrigation. The sight is spectacular, and people can go on a boat ride or enjoy the view from the park on the western side of the lake.
Dawmat Al Jandal, Al Jauf Region — Dawmat al Jandal, an oasis on the northern edge of the Great Nafud Desert, has long served as an important trading hub and station for caravans, linking Arabia with the ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and the Levant, going as far back perhaps as to the 11th century B.C.E.
The Assyrian Empire whose records from the 11th century describe the oasis noted the plentiful water resources and fertile grounds. Another document, dated 845, has the first instance of the written word “Arab.” The Assyria records describe “Adummatu,” mostly likely referring to Dawmat Al Jandal, as a fortified capital city for the Arabs and their queen.
Although the Dawmat Al Jandal contains a myriad of historical structures, researchers have yet to find artifacts from this period to corroborate the credible Assyrian sources. Nevertheless, archaeologists have unearthed pottery pieces from the Nabataean and Roman periods.
Marid fortress, is a 2,000-year-old structure located 1,000 kilometers north of Riyadh in the Al-Jauf Region. It is believed that the Nabataeans partially built the fortress.
Qasr Zab’bal, which is similar to Marid and is located on the top of an elevated rock. It is located in the city of Sakaka, which is the Al Jauf region capital.
‘Rebellious Fortress’
The most picturesque remnant of this rich history is Marid (meaning rebellious in Arabic), a 2,000-year-old fortress which is 1,000 kilometers (km) north of Riyadh in the Al-Jauf Region. It is beleived that the fortress was partially built by Nabataeans.
Approaching the fortress’s entrance, a visitor cannot help but be overwhelmed by the unique composition, shape, and position of the structure, which is situated on the top of an outcrop, with four towers. Most of the walls were built from stones, while the top levels were made from mud bricks.
People can reach the top of the fortress by one of its two small entrances, one on the north side and the other on the south. Along the way, visitors will be intrigued by the intricate craftsmanship of the walls and stairs. One side of the wall has partially crumbled, which provides a side view of the fortress, accentuating the great magnitude of the structure.
At the top, visitors can explore the towers and rooms while enjoying the view of the surrounding palm trees, hills, and the neighboring historical village where some mud houses have already been restored. Geological excavations are ongoing as researchers continue to unearth the historical treasures in the old city, such as an ancient hydraulic system composed of wells, channels, and tunnels for irrigation.
After exiting the fortress, people can visit or pray at Omar mosque. Local tradition says the mosque was built when the third caliph, Omar Bin Al-Khattab, was on his way to Jerusalem in 637 CE and stopped at the fortress. Some researchers say that it was built later during the Umayyad period. The mosque and minaret feature unique architecture. The close proximity of the minaret to the fortress results in a juxtaposition of the two eras.
Approximately 4 km east of the fortress and across the palm farms, individuals can visit Dawmat Al Jandal Lake, which spans nearly 3 km and was created in the 1980s as a water reservoir for irrigation. The sight is spectacular, and people can go on a boat ride or enjoy the view from the park on the western side of the lake.
The 6,000-year-old Al Rajajil columns, consists of a group of approximately 50 pillars that can reach as high as three meters. Some anthropologists propose that these structures were used for religious purposes, and others argue it was used to indicate seasonal change.
The minaret of Omar mosque has unique architecture. Local tradition says the mosque was built when the third caliph, Omar Bin Al-Khattab, was on his way to Jerusalem in 637 CE, but some say that it was built later during the Umayyad period.
A Mystery Something Like Stonehenge
Perhaps the most historical and mysterious site is located 40 km southeast of the fortress. The 6,000-year-old Al Rajajil columns (meaning men in Arabic), consists of a group of approximately 50 pillars that can reach as high as three meters. The columns are in various status of preservation.
Examined from an aerial angle, the columns appear to be positioned on an approximately east to west axis. Some anthropologists propose that these structures were used for religious purposes, and others argue it was used to indicate seasonal change. What is clear from the differing conclusions is that the columns are not unlike Stonehenge in England, and that the true purpose of these columns remain evasive.
About 20 km north of the Al Rajajil columns is the city of Sakaka, which is the capital of Al Jauf region and a city with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops. Meanwhile, northwest of the city is Qasr Zab’bal, which is similar to Marid and is located on the top of an elevated rock.
For people driving through, they will find high-end retail stores specializing in olives and its derivatives, from pickles to cosmetics. With more than 11 million trees, Al Jauf region has 82% of the Kingdom’s olive trees, according to the General Authority for Statistics’ latest survey of agriculture production. Interestingly, olives are the most planted permanent fruit trees in the Kingdom after palm trees. Scientists speculate that Mediterranean crops, including olives and oranges, were cultivated in this area since ancient times.
Dawmat al Jandal, an oasis on the northern edge of the Great Nafud Desert, has long served as an important trading hub and station for caravans. Assyrian’s records from the 11th century noted the plentiful water resources and fertile grounds of the oasis.
Alternative Energy Abounds
From an energy perspective, there are few recent developments to note. One is the development of the first large-scale solar farm in the Kingdom outside of Sakaka. The facility produces 300 megawatts.
Also, crews are building the first commercial wind farm near Dawmat Al Jandal with the intent to generate 400 megawatts. Officials have also recently announced a hydrocarbon discovery in the area.
Although the caravans have long ceased passing through the area — no longer making the oasis a critical logistic and trading hub — visitors to Dawmat Al Jandal will likely find delight from admiring the beauty of the lush farms and fortress while pondering the origin of the mysterious columns.
— The Arabian Sun: October 21, 2020 | Vol. LXXV, No. 41