ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF MADYAN

Madyan, also called Mugha'ir Shu'ayb by the locals, is one of three ancient Nabataean cities that have been unearthed in Saudi Arabia, along with Hegra and Dumah al-Jaula. It was on the road that linked Hegra to Petra, the two great capitals of Nabatea at the end of the second century B.C. But the occupation of Madyan is thought to be much older, dating back to the second millennium B.C. It is mentioned in the Bible. It is here that Moses would have found refuge during his first flight from Egypt. He would have lived there 10 years and would have married one of the 7 daughters of Jethro, before returning to Egypt to free the Jews and lead them to the Promised Land. Archaeological excavations have found coins and artifacts attesting to the presence of the Greeks, Nabateans and Romans. The city appears to have declined after the 11th century, although it continues to be mentioned in documents of the Muslim caliphates. The city of Madyan was divided into two distinct areas: a large housing complex in the valley and a necropolis in the Mussalla mountain overlooking the site. The city has been the subject of excavations since 2017, conducted by a Saudi-French team. The necropolis has about thirty tombs dug into the rock, some of which have a typical Nabataean style façade with stepped merlons, sometimes half-columns with Ionic capitals framing the doors.