Dumat al-Jandal

The city has a history dating back to the 10th century BC and is mentioned in Akkadian inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Empire dating to 845 BCE, in which it is referred to as Adummatu and is described as the capital of an Arab kingdom sometimes named as Qedar (Qidri). The names of five powerful Arab queens that ruled this city are known, among them Zabibe, Šamši, Tabūʿa, and Teʾelḫunu. The latter is also given the title of high priestess of Atarsamain, a deity of fertility, love and war associated with Ishtar. Dumat al-Jandal was the site of an important temple dedicated to Ishtar. Sacrifices of animals were common and Porphyry’s De Abstenentia reports that in Dumat al-Jandal, a boy was sacrificed annually and was buried underneath an altar. Some scholars have extrapolated this practice to the rest of the Nabataeans.[5]

Marid Castle in Dumah

Inside view of Marid Castle

Excavations made by Khaleel Ibrahim al-Muaikel in 1986 added to observations made in 1976 that a homogenous layer of Roman-Nabataean pottery sherds indicating a prosperous community during the time of the Nabataeans to whose realm this part of the region probably belonged.[6]

This town is perhaps intended in a passage from Isaiah:

The "Dumah" Pronouncement.

A call comes to me from Seir:
"Watchman, what of the night?
Watchman, what of the night?"

The watchman replied,
"Morning came, and so did night.
If you would inquire, inquire.
Come back again."

— Isaiah 21:11-12

In 106 AD, Dumatha was incorporated into the Roman Empire by Emperor Trajan defeated the Nabataeans. Dumatha remained integral to the Limes Arabicus for over four centuries, serving as the easternmost settlement along the limes. In 269 AD, the place was mentioned by Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, as city with an immune fortress. After her forces had captured the city, the Marid Castle withstood the attack in her revolt against the Romans. Later in the fifth century, the city became the capital of the kingdom of Kinda.

The ancient oasis town was among a number of cities that the Pre Islamic Arabs would travel to as part of the sequence of market fairs held annually. In contrast to the other market cities, Duma was characterized by its disputed political sovereignty between Arab clients of the Byzantines and Sasanians that made claims to it. The markets of Duma specialized in slavery and prostitution with the Banu Kalb, the dominant tribal group in the area, being known to practice slavery more than other tribes.[7]

The city had been the object of no fewer than three raids due to its strategic location. It lay about fifteen days march north from Medina and about half that distance from Damascus.[8]

Muhammad ordered the Expedition of Dumat al-Jandal in July 626.[9] Muhammad had received intelligence that some tribes there were involved in highway robbery and preparing to attack Medina itself.[10] No casualties were reported as Ghatafan tribe fled[10]

He also ordered the Expedition of Khalid ibn al-Walid (Dumatul Jandal), which took place in October 630[11] to attack the Christian prince of Duma,[12] as well as the Expedition of Khalid ibn al-Walid (2nd Dumatul Jandal) in April 631[13][14] to demolish an idol called Wadd,[14][15] worshipped by the Banu Kalb tribe.[16] In 630 AD, Khalid ibn al-Walid captured Dumat al-Jandal and it became a part of the newly formed Islamic empire.

Umar Mosque (wrongly attributed to Caliph Umar) is situated in Dumat Al-Jandal, a major intersection of ancient trade routes linking Mesopotamia, Syria with Arabia. The Mosque was built in 634-644. However, the actual construction appears to have been a much earlier period as a Church. Some scholars believe that the mosque was named after the Banu Umar, a tribe that settled in Dumat Al-Jandal.

Omar Mosque and Al Dar'i Quarter in Dumat al-Jandal.

The north (qibla) wall of the mosque faces the Marid Fort across a street. On its other three sides, it is surrounded by dense urban fabric. Like any other old town mosque, the stone construction composes of a courtyard preceding the main prayer hall to the south and another space, also used for prayer, to the north. The minaret is at the southwestern corner of the prayer hall bridging over a street. The mosque is entered through a door situated in the qibla wall, near the minaret. The prayer hall is formed by three rows of stone pillars, running parallel to the qibla wall. The pillars are all by wooden lintels, which in turn support layers of stone that are roofed by mud-plastered acacia and palm trunks.

The mihrab is a narrow, corbelled niche in the center of the qibla wall, and is defined by a similar niche with three built-in stone steps to its right. The mihrab, the minbar, and the lower part of the qibla wall are plastered with white wash. Viewed from the outside, one sees that the mihrab and minbar protrude slightly out of the qibla wall. Also visible is an exposed stone staircase constructed along the qibla wall from the street side that reaches the roof. The minaret shaft has a rectangular shape that tapers upward to end in a pyramidal form. The four internal floors of the shaft were accessed by a now-collapsed spiral staircase entered from within the mosque. On each side of the minaret, and on each floor, a rectangular window with a stone lintel provides lighting for its interior.

The ancient town inside Al Dar'i Quarter

Al Dar'i Quarter is located in the neighborhood of Omar Bin Al Khatab Mosque and Marid fortress, which represent the old quarter of Dumat Al Jandal. Al Dar'i Quarter is considered to be one of remaining antiquities of Dumat Al Jandal's ancient city which has escaped the demolition shovels befalling the historical market of Dumat Al Jandal 25 years ago. Dr. Khalil Al Meaigil has stated that, the facilities of the quarter which dates back to the middle Islamic age have established on antiquities layers and is based on layers of archaeological works dating back to the mid-first millennium BC. The neighborhood is characterized by the stone buildings and stone lanes between the gardens and water, which had a life of residents living near by the springs. In Al Dar'i Quarter there are many of houses which archaeologists hope will enjoy the necessary care and restoration. Worth mentioning that, the old quarter is built on the ruins of the earlier revivals which can be seen in multiple layers, as well as the emergence of the old road of the district under the existing buildings.

On 9 June 2020, the discovery of a 35-meter long triangular megalithic monument dated back to VI millennium BC which presumably dedicated to ritual practices was published in the journal Antiquity. Archaeological researchers from France, Saudi Arabia and Italy, headed by Olivia Munoz believe that these findings illuminate a pastoralist nomadic lifestyle and a ritual used in prehistoric Arabia.[17][18]

In Dumat Al-Jandal, there is a desert climate. Most rain falls in the winter. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is BWh. The average annual temperature in Dumat Al-Jandal is 22.2 °C (72.0 °F). About 59 mm (2.32 in) of precipitation falls annually.

• Ancient Towns in Saudi Arabia
• Cities of the ancient Near East
• Expedition of Khalid ibn al-Walid (Dumatul Jandal)
• Expedition of Khalid ibn al-Walid (2nd Dumatul Jandal)
• List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia

• Home
• SCTH   - Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage
• A travel through the province of Al Jouf, Splendid Arabia: A travel site with photos and routes
• Tschanz, David W. "Unsung Crossroads" Saudi Aramco World, 1998