Caves and Harrat in Hail Province are archaeological sites that distinguish this area in the northern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These historical landmarks include over ten discovered caves and twelve volcanic craters to date.
Notable caves and harrat in Hail Province
In Hail Province, there are archaeological sites in caves and traces of volcanic activity. Among the prominent are Janin Cave and Sha'afan Cave, located on the edge of Harrat al-Nar. Sha'afan Cave is one of the largest caves in the Kingdom, stretching over two km in length, with a height of up to eight m and descending to depths of eight hundred m underground. The cave features winding side passages of unknown length and contains scattered skulls and bones. There are other caves that are comparable to Sha'afan in size and historical and archaeological significance, and they are spread around it.
Archaeological inscriptions in the caves and harrat of al-Shuwaymis
Al-Shuwaymis, located about 250 km west of Hail City, is distinguished by its location surrounded by mountains on all sides, featuring valleys, ravines, and fertile grazing land. Additionally, it is rich in mountains and caves that contain numerous archaeological inscriptions, including:
Harrat al-Nar: This archaeological site was discovered in 2001 by local Bedouins, who observed carved drawings on the mountains. Subsequent studies have shown that these carvings date back more than 14,000 years. Historical sources indicate that Harrat al-Nar was an active volcanic area just before the mission of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH). It is also recorded in Arab literature that the volcano erupted during the time of the companion Umar Ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Access to this site is difficult, and it can only be reached with a guide from the local inhabitants.
Sha'afan Cave: It is one of the largest archaeological caves in the Kingdom, stretching approximately 1,500 m underground. Its height and width range between ten to twelve m, but in some places, the height decreases to half m and the width to about 1.5 m. The cave contains winding underground passages with no known end due to the narrowness of these paths. This cave is one of the most important tourist attractions in al-Shuwaymis and is visited by many tourists and enthusiasts of archaeological sites.
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