19.8°
Wadi Saysad Dam
Makkah
An Archaeological Witness to the Skill of Ancient Architects
Makkah
Wadi Saysad Dam is located east of Taif in a narrow section of Wadi Saysad. It extends from the northwest to the southeast.
It measures 58 meters in length, 4.10 meters in width, and 5.8m in height.
A striking feature of its construction is that it was not built with double-faced walls, as is common in most dams.
Instead, its construction relied on large rectangular stones arranged in horizontal courses.
This reflects the precision and diversity of construction in ancient times.
At the northwestern end, there is a 7-meter-wide spillway carved into the rock to drain excess water.
This highlights the ability of ancient engineers to adapt to the terrain and utilize natural resources with a high degree of craftsmanship.
The dam remains in good condition to this day, becoming an archaeological landmark that attracts the interest of researchers and heritage enthusiasts alike.
It has gained special significance as one of the dated dams since it traces back to 58 AH / 678 AD.
This date is documented in a foundation inscription engraved on a rock adjacent to the dam.
