Al-Ukhdood

The city of Al-Ukhdood is located in Al-Qabil village on the southern bank of Wadi Najran, covering an area of about 5 km². The city was recently surrounded by massive walls, and it includes meticulously well-constructed buildings made of large stones, alongside a wide range of pottery and stone tools, most notably the massive millstone, reflecting the ingenuity of architecture and engineering in ancient times.

It is believed that the Ukhdood (trench) located about 100 meters south of the cemetery is the historical site mentioned in the Holy Quran. Although scholars differ on the exact occurrence of the famous burning incident in Himyarite history, the ruins discovered at the site show a massive fire that consumed the city, along with remnants of burnt wood, bones, and everyday tools.

Al-Ukhdood is today a unique tourist destination offering visitors a complete archaeological exploration experience, enabling them to view ancient historical remains and learn about the Himyarite civilization and Najran’s rich cultural heritage, in an atmosphere that combines mystery and natural beauty.