Ancient Saudi fort in need of preservation

Khaybar was once home to multiple fortresses constructed by colonisers along the Arabian shoreline. They later served as warehouses for commodities. Many of these poignant reminders of the past have been restored, to honour their importance and to preserve their archaeological integrity.

Our perception of ruins has changed significantly over time and we now largely recognise them as valuable sources of historical and architectural significance. Whether remnants, foundations, or artefacts, they bear witness to past civilisations and hold immense cultural and scientific value.

Insights from the land

Sometimes, it can feel like there is nothing left on earth to explore. Archaeologists know different – they know that there is plenty. Whenever a new archaeological site is uncovered, witness these teams of researchers, excavators, and historians hurriedly converge on it, determined to glean insights and unravel its mysteries.

They are not alone in their interest. An entire ancient city, complete with a fortress perched on top of a hill, together with a marketplace and surrounding oases, will no doubt be an impressive sight for visitors to the Khaybar region of Saudi Arabia.

This colossal defensive site, which has stood for two millennia, is situated in an area steeped in history dating back 3,000 years. This is a tranquil and fertile land, where fruit grows and grains thrive. Its distinctive black volcanic rocks nearby.

The restoration of the site will preserve a glorious past that deserves its place in local and international archives. This will enable scholars and researchers to conduct new scientific studies to unravel the mysteries of the architectural prowess of that era.

A feat of engineering

The fort's intricate design, featuring dozens of intersecting alleys, corners, and rooms, creates a labyrinthine effect. To plan and engineer it would have taken serious study and skill, accounting for aesthetics, security, and longevity, while also building it to suit the surrounding agricultural landscape.

Several questions remain unanswered. For instance, why did the fort's architects choose to build it on a hill, where construction would have been more difficult? Was this a deliberate strategy to prevent soil or water erosion over time?

Mathematics serves as the foundation of architecture and examining the design process behind forts is a significant area of interest for researchers seeking to unravel the intricacies of their structure and decode the architectural practices and preferences that governed local building work at the time.

There are questions about the materials used. The black volcanic rocks used in the fort's construction still stand today, alongside palm wood in some walls and chambers. Was this for ventilation during summer and light during winter? How was the issue of heating, water canals, and sewage tackled? What about its foundations?

The urge to preserve

The time has come to answer these questions and gather the archaeological data, and to do so without delay, lest we face a further catastrophic event such as the massive fire that devastated Khaybar six years ago.

Excavations and restoration efforts have proved to be of historical, artistic, cultural, and scientific importance since they became governed by modern scientific discipline in the 19th century, the primary goal being to preserve history's structures worldwide.

The will to preserve the past

Archaeological finds should not be confined to the past; they should enrich our present. Their importance is paramount. Even if it entails the removal of overlying modern structures, the priority is to safeguard the ancient ruins lying beneath.

It is important to make a decision soon about the conservation of the Khaybar Fort, a site of historical significance dating back to early Christianity in the Arabic Peninsula — particularly in Hejaz.

It witnessed important events, such as the Ghassanid King Abu Jabila's invasion of Khaybar around the 5th and 6th centuries AD, and the Byzantine influence on the land for agriculture, trade, artisanal skills, desert, and oases before volcanic lava covered the area. To lose it would be to lose its insights.

Beyond the main fort there are many other structures, such as smaller forts, stables, warehouses, and towers, surrounded by cultivated fields, defensive structures, and hills of basalt rocks. To preserve all this, the fort must be designated an archaeological area with immediate effect.  

The time is now. By turning a blind eye to our past, ignoring pivotal moments, and failing to restore our structural history, we render ourselves bare, stripped of the intricate details woven into the fabric of our written and tangible history.