RCU Publishes Book on AlUla's Umm Daraj Site

The Royal Commission for AlUla has published a new heritage and archaeological book titled "Umm Daraj: Beacon of the Lihyan Kingdom," written by Dr. Hussein bin Ali Abu Al Hassan. The monograph forms part of the Commission's research program focused on Dadan and the Lihyan Kingdom in AlUla Governorate.

The book presents the results of fieldwork and archaeological studies at Umm Daraj, a major mountain sanctuary closely tied to the Lihyan Kingdom. It documents the site's architecture, rock-cut stairways, cisterns, inscriptions, and petroglyphs, alongside religious and ritual elements including a Lihyanite temple and finds such as altars, incense burners, statues, and pottery.

Umm Daraj dates historically to roughly between the 7th and 2nd centuries BCE, during the Kingdom of Lihyan, placing it within the broader sequence of long-term human occupation in AlUla. The book is available in Arabic, English, and French, and is intended to support research, education, and public understanding of the region's ancient history.

Part of a wider research effort

The release comes as the Commission expands its archaeological work across AlUla through the 2025–2026 archaeology seasons, covering sites including Dadan, Umm Daraj, Hegra, and Khaybar, as well as Neolithic settlements, with more than one hundred archaeologists involved. A dedicated project is also documenting more than 25,000 inscriptions across AlUla.

For residents and visitors in the Kingdom, the publication offers a deeper window into one of AlUla's most significant ancient sanctuaries, reinforcing the region's growing role as a center for heritage research and cultural tourism.

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