Wadi Iya
Wadi Iya is one of the seasonal valleys in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the shortest after Wadi Tashar in Jazan Province. It is one of the valleys of the Tihamah plain and is located within the borders of Aseer Province in the southwest of Saudi Arabia. It is an archaeological site, with remains that include palaces, fortresses, and tombs.
Course of Wadi Iya
Wadi Iya is fifty-five km long and extends across the lands of Aseer Province. It flows from east to west, descending from the Bihan Center in Abha City and emptying into Wadi Bisha to the west, with an average slope of twelve m. Wadi Iya has two tributaries that feed its course: Wadi Abalah and Wadi Amj.
Archaeological remains of Wadi Iya
The valley contains a variety of archaeological remains, including palaces, fortresses, and tombs—some adorned with inscriptions and quartz stone. These tombs are locally known as Al-Rusous and consist of one to four stories. The fortresses and castles in the valley are divided into military fortresses on mountain slopes and others designated for housing and for storing grains and fodder.
History of the archaeological remains of Wadi Iya
The tombs, or Al-Rusous, are scattered randomly throughout Wadi Iya. They are above ground and not oriented toward the Qibla, indicating that they were built before Islam. Wadi Iya was inhabited by the tribe of Al-Awas Bin Hajar, to which the pre-Islamic poet Al-Shanfarah belonged. Many valleys and sites feed into Wadi Iya, including Dahla, Rahwah, Jahour, Ma’lah, and Madhfah.
Palaces of Wadi Iya
The valley is characterized by stone palaces (fortresses) that range in height from fifteen to twenty m. They were built using stones available in the surrounding mountains, and their windows were decorated with white quartz stone to form squares, triangles, and circles.