Discover the legacy of the Kedarite nomads, from their ancient desert ruins to their mentions in biblical prophecy. Explore how this powerful North Arabian confederation controlled the incense trade routes and left an indelible mark on both the landscape and history.
Dedan Revealed: Exploring the Ancient Capital of Northwest Arabia
The site of Al-Khuraybah in the AlUla oasis, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Khuraybah: The Desert Powerhouse of Northwest Arabia
Step into Al-Khuraybah, the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite capital that once stood as a vital powerhouse along the Incense Trade Route. This thriving oasis was a sophisticated hub for caravans traveling between Medina and Tabuk, leaving behind monumental sandstone architecture and inscriptions that still guard the desert today. While often overlooked by modern history, the site's significance was well-known to biblical authors, who recorded “Dedan” as a crucial link in the trade network of the ancient world.
Watch the video
Click on the link in the panel below, “Dedan: The Kingdom You Never Heard About.”
Ein Kerem: The Birthplace of John the Baptist
Herodion: Group Shot in the Bath
Exploring the Wachau Valley: Vineyards, Castles, and Roman Ruins
The King in the High Castle: Richard the Lionheart’s Wachau Captivity
East of Vienna: Where the Orient begins
From Roman Walls to Aïda Café: A Different Kind of Vienna Tour
Barbarians at the Table: Dining at the Brauerei zur Malzmühle
The Holy Fire: Suffering and Sanctuary on the Spanish Meseta
Dreams of Cinnabar: A Midnight Arrival in Zanzibar
Why the Magi Terrified Herod: A Geopolitical Nativity Story
It has an odd ring
The Door of No Return
The tunnel leads from the dungeons to the harbor.
At the end of the tunnel hangs an ominous sign: “Door of no return.”
Through this door human beings were marched from the bowels of the castle to the holds of slave ships. The transition from a stone to a wooden prison offered the captives one last gaze to the African sun. They would not see it, their families, or their homes again.