Hegra the lost city

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 90 - 95, 29.12.2023

Helıa Hajıjamshıdı

Abstract

Hegra is an ancient desert region in Saudi Arabia that has now been transformed into a tourist destination. Many explorers have visited this area, but the first person to set foot in this abandoned city after years was the British explorer Charles Montagu Doughty. The history of this region dates back to the Nabatean era. The people were farmers and livestock breeders who became wealthy through the construction of caravanserais and trade, especially in spices and incense. They chose Hegra as their second capital after Petra to control the trade routes. The Nabatean language is a combination of ancient Arabic and Semitic. Some consider this city cursed due to the inscriptions and curses written on the tombs, although in addition to the tombs, there are also places for worship and water wells, demonstrating the people's ability to store water. Their expertise in water conservation and unparalleled construction evident as they carved homes and water wells out of stones. The remaining artifacts are a complete testament to their capabilities. The existing evidence suggests the integration of this city into the Roman Empire.

Keywords

Saudi Arabia, Nabataean, Inscriptions, Tombs, Hegra

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