The Royal Commission for the Saudi Governorate of Al-Ula has announced the significant discovery of Al-Natah, an exceptional Bronze Age village situated in the Khaybar Oasis, in western Saudi Arabia. 

This finding is part of the ongoing initiative entitled "Khaybar through the Ages" and provides important insights into the transition from a nomadic pastoral lifestyle to a sedentary urban existence in the region during the latter half of the third millennium BCE.

Located on the northern periphery of the Khaybar Oasis, the village of Al-Natah was concealed for millennia beneath layers of basalt rocks. The site presents compelling evidence regarding the social structure of the era, showcasing a distinct division of space within its fortifications, including zones designated for residential and funerary activities. 

Dating to approximately 2400 to 2000 BCE, it is estimated that the village supported a population of around 500 individuals across an area of 2.6 hectares.

This remarkable discovery results from a collaborative study undertaken by the Royal Commission for the Governorate of Al-Ula, the French Agency for AlUla Development, and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), marking a crucial advancement in the exploration of Saudi Arabia's extensive historical heritage.