Mada'in Saleh also called Al-Hijr ("rocky place"), is an ancient city located in northern Hejaz (modern day Saudi Arabia), around 22 km from the red-cliffed wadi town of Al-`Ula (Arabic: العلا). In ancient times the city was inhabited by Thamudis and Nabateans and was known as Hegra.
Some of the inscriptions found in the area date back to the 2nd millennium BC. However, all the remaining architectural elements are dated to the period of the Thamudi, Lihyan and Nabatean civilizations, between the 1st millennium BC and the second century AD.
In 2008, UNESCO proclaimed Mada'in Saleh as a site of patrimony, becoming Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage Site.
Ancient, UNESCO
Links: en.wikipedia.org, whc.unesco.org
By: kjfitz
