Lion tombs (Arabic: مقابر الأسود الدادنية) is an ancient Dadanitic tombs cut from rock, with over than 20 tombs.

the lion tombs of Dedan
Al ula rock cut tombs of Dedan
LocationAl-'Ula, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates26°38′50″N 37°54′58″E / 26.647313936521993°N 37.916054845571054°E / 26.647313936521993; 37.916054845571054
History
Foundedbetween 600BCE-500BCE[1]
CulturesAncient lihyan
Architecture
Architectural stylesDadanitic
These sculptures of lions were carved around the 6th century BCE[2]

History

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The lion tombs are rock-cut burial niches decorated with reliefs of lions. The tombs are dated back between the 600BCE-500BCE. According to the religious beliefs of the day, the lions protected those buried within the tombs. These tombs are evidence of 2600 years of settlement in al-Ula, originally called Dedan.[3]

Bibliography

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  • Said Alsaid, Dedan Treasures of a Spectacular Culture, King Saud University.

References

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