Najran History
Najran History
Naming
The name Najran appears in many historical accounts and in the writings of Arab and foreign travelers, without a clear explanation for its origin.
Some narrations mention that Najran refers to the wooden pivot on which a door rotates. The same account adds that it was named after the first person who settled there, said to be Najran bin Zaidan bin Saba bin Yashjub bin Yarub bin Qahtan.
Most likely, the name was given to both the valley and the city together. It appears that the archaeological site of Al-Ukhdood Archaeological Site, as it is known today, is the location where the ancient city of Najran once stood. In inscriptions from the Arabian Peninsula, it was written as “N J R N.” The city began to emerge and flourish at the beginning of the first millennium BCE and, between 250–500 BCE, became one of the most prominent commercial cities along the ancient trade route.
Historical Sequence
The Najran region is one of the oldest historical civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula. According to the latest archaeological discoveries, its roots extend back to the Stone Ages. Researchers have found evidence of human civilization dating back more than 25,000 years, to the Middle Paleolithic Age. Remains of very ancient lakes—now vanished—were also discovered, indicating that this area, located near the Empty Quarter, once had significant historical importance, especially due to political conflicts among ancient kingdoms seeking control over this fertile oasis. Its location made it economically vital as a major passage along one of the most important ancient trade routes.
Najran witnessed a relatively long period of settlement, marked by many important events. Numerous inscriptions and writings in the Musnad script were discovered—this script was used by the Himyarite Kingdom, to which Najran was subject from the 15th century BCE until the 14th century CE.
Due to its location near the kingdoms of southern Arabia, Najran was often involved in conflicts among them. Southern inscriptions mention, for example, a campaign by King Karib’il Watar (620–660 BCE), whose son led a military expedition against tribes in Najran and its capital “Rajmat.” Another inscription refers to a campaign by King Sharh Yuhdhib and Bazal Bayya (15–35 BCE), which involved looting and destruction of the city.
Najran in Prehistoric Times
Archaeological evidence of early human settlement includes discoveries at Shaib Dahdah of stone tools believed to date back 1.2–1.8 million years, representing an early stage of the Paleolithic Age. These tools included large stone cleavers, scrapers, blades, hammers, and primitive bifacial tools.
From the Middle Paleolithic period, important sites were found at Bir Hima, concentrated around elevated areas overlooking valleys. Tools from this phase were more refined, including drills, serrated tools, and transverse and terminal scrapers.
Bir Hima is also considered one of the most significant Neolithic sites (4000–5000 BCE), evidenced by stone hearths, rectangular and semi-circular structures, and cone-shaped stone constructions.
Early Sabaean inscriptions indicate that Najran gained great importance by the mid-first millennium BCE after being conquered by the Sabaeans. At that time, Najran referred to a region within the Himyarite Kingdom, whose king Al-Adhra’il established his capital in Rajmat in Najran.
Najran: A Crossroads of Caravans
In addition to its strategic location, Najran’s fertile land and abundant water increased its importance. It became a major connection point between northern and southern Arabia from the first millennium BCE until the rise of Islam.
Main land trade routes passed through Najran, including:
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A route starting from Qana (Hisn Al-Ghurab) in Hadramout, branching toward Shabwah and Aden, then reaching Najran, and continuing northward to Qaryat Al-Faw, Al-Aflaj, and Al-Yamamah—eventually branching toward the Arabian Gulf or Mesopotamia and the Levant.
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A route from southwest Arabia passing through the kingdoms of Saba, Ma’in, Qataban, and Himyar, then to Najran, continuing to Dadan (AlUla), Madyan (Al-Bada’), Aila (Aqaba), and Petra, branching toward the Levant or Gaza and Egypt.
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A route from Hadramout to Najran, then to Birin Oasis and Al-Jarhaa (near Qaryat Al-Faw) on the Arabian Gulf, extending toward Iraq or Al-Yamamah.
Najran in the Islamic Era
The people of Najran embraced Islam peacefully in the 10th year AH. In the 8th or 9th year AH, a delegation from Najran visited Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), led by the chief of Banu Al-Harith tribe. They reached an agreement, and at their request, the Prophet sent with them Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah.
In the 10th year AH, the Prophet sent Khalid ibn Al-Walid with 400 men to Najran. In the same year, the tribes of Banu Abdulmadan and Hamdan also embraced Islam.
Population
Before Islam, Banu Al-Harith bin Ka‘b was the main tribe in Najran. Later, both Banu Al-Harith and Hamdan shared settlement in the area. Eventually, the Yam tribe (from Hamdan bin Zaid) became the majority population, mainly distributed in Wadi Najran and Habona.
Today, Najran is home to many tribes with their own traditions and origins, including both long-established residents and newcomers from other regions of the Kingdom for work and trade. The population now exceeds 700,000.
Like other regions of Saudi Arabia, Najran has witnessed significant development in urban, agricultural, healthcare, and other services provided by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, ensuring prosperity and security under Islamic law.
Museums Najran Museum
Established by the Antiquities and Museums Agency in 1403 AH and opened in 1416 AH, it is located west of Al-Ukhdood. The museum displays artifacts from across Najran, particularly from Al-Ukhdood, along with traditional regional products. Its collections illustrate the history of Saudi Arabia and Najran’s civilization across various eras.
Archaeological Sites Al-Ukhdood Archaeological Site
One of the most important archaeological sites in the region, located on the southern bank of Wadi Najran. It represents the ancient city, surrounded by a wall 235m long and 220m wide. The fortress dates back to before 600 BCE and continued until the 3rd century CE.
Bir Hima Wells
An important caravan station and one of the Kingdom’s most significant rock art sites, containing over thirteen locations with hunting and pastoral scenes, Thamudic, Musnad, and Kufic inscriptions dating from 7000 BCE to 1000 BCE.
(Other sites mentioned include Abiar Khatmah, ‘Irq Al-Bir, Al-Qasbah, and others representing Stone Age settlements.)
Natural Parks King Fahd Park Najran
One of the largest parks in the Kingdom, rich in Samr and Salam trees, with playgrounds and green areas.
Other natural parks include:
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Al-Hajib Al-Ahmar
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Al-Ghathmah
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Al-Hijjah
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Al-Zahrah
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Al-Safa
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Nahouqah
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Aba Al-Rashash (Upper and Lower)
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Wadi Al-Jazm
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Mou‘ah
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Ashat Badr Al-Janoub
These areas feature valleys, mountains, سدود (dams), and diverse vegetation, making Najran a region of natural beauty alongside its deep historical heritage.