Qaryat al-Faw, Archaeological site in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.
Qaryat al-Faw is an archaeological site containing ruins of houses, markets, and temples spread across the northwestern edge of the Empty Quarter desert. The ruins include at least seventeen wells that once supplied water to residents, along with a prominent rocky ridge featuring natural caves and rock art.
The settlement emerged as the capital of the Kinda kingdom and thrived between the 4th century BC and 4th century AD. During this period, it served as a major trading hub connecting different parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
The artifacts reveal how residents organized their daily lives, from trade activities in the marketplace to food preparation and storage. These objects show the skills and knowledge of people who lived in this desert region thousands of years ago.
The site is fully enclosed and actively protected from damage. Plan your visit by gathering information beforehand, as visitor facilities are being developed for better access and understanding.
The marketplace area preserves baking ovens and grain storage facilities that reveal how residents managed food supplies in the desert. These structures offer rare insights into the logistics systems that kept an ancient settlement functioning.
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