Story outline
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Welcome to Jabal AlBanat
Discover Jabal AlBanat, where over two millennia of history unfold through Nabataean tombs, ancient burials, and living traditions that continue to shape this desert landscape today. -
Stop 1. Layers of Significance
Jabal AlBanat’s earliest burials and the enduring beliefs surround this sacred mountain, remembered in Islamic tradition and now part of AlUla’s living heritage landscape. -
Stop 2. The Nabataen Kingdom
The Nabataeans transformed Hegra into a crossroads of cultures, carving elaborate tombs that reflect their artistry, spirituality, and openness to ideas from across the ancient world. -
Stop 3. Construction of the Tombs
Nabataean craftsmen carved tombs directly from sandstone, using simple tools with remarkable precision. Their skill, planning, and artistry endure in the inscriptions that still bear their names. -
Stop 4. Power in Symbols
The tomb of 'Eidu son of Ubayd', merges Greek, Egyptian, and local influences. Symbols of protection and rebirth reveal the beliefs and craftsmanship that defined Nabataean society. -
Stop 5. Belief in the Afterlife
The Nabataean tombs connected the living and the dead in a shared belief in the afterlife. -
Stop 6. The Role of Women
This grand tomb reflects the wealth and influence of Nabataean women and endures as a symbol of strength, legacy, and local pride in AlUla today. -
Stop 7. Erosion and Stewardship
Conservation teams and local communities work together to protect Hegra’s sandstone and preserve its stories for future generations. -
Stop 8. Final Reflections
We invite you to explore Jabal AlBanat and the wider Hegra landscape in person.
Voices
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Dr. Mutlaq al Mutlaq
Archaeologist
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Shouq Al Sharari
Rawi Guide
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Sahar Al Timani
Rawi Guide
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Ylenia Rubino
Heritage Conservation and Restoration Specialist
Gallery
Partners
About the Project
Created in collaboration with Saudi ICOMOS, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and members of the AlUla community, this Tapestry draws on previously collected 3D data and new interviews to bring the stories of Jabal AlBanat to life for global audiences.
Related Links
Credits
Unless otherwise noted, all media is copyright Royal Commission of AlUla. We would like to extend a special thanks to those community members who lent their voice and expertise to this project Dr. Mutlaq Al Mutlaq, Shouq Al Sharari, Sahar Al Timani, and Ylenia Rubino. Additional thanks to José Ignacio Gallego Revilla, Marie Line Farah and Turki Al Qadi for their support of this project. The 3D data of the monument was collected by Factum Foundation.