عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Thee Ain Village: Architectural Masterpieces on the Brink of World Heritage Status

Thee Ain, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Thee Ain, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Thee Ain Village: Architectural Masterpieces on the Brink of World Heritage Status

Thee Ain, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Thee Ain, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Nestled in the highlands of Tihamah, the Saudi village of Thee Ain captivates with its unique characteristics and meticulously paved streets and alleys.
As visitors wander through, the village’s architectural history unfolds, revealing the legacy of its 49 pyramid-shaped palaces built by skilled artisans centuries ago.
These structures have become a focal point for researchers and heritage enthusiasts intrigued by traditional construction methods.
The village’s rich cultural and natural heritage is now eagerly awaiting its potential inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The Saudi Heritage Commission has worked diligently to prepare Thee Ain for this prestigious designation, transforming it into a tourist destination that attracts history enthusiasts and researchers.
The village’s geographical location adds to its historical and cultural significance, enhancing its appeal to visitors.
To fully grasp the beauty of Thee Ain’s structures, it’s essential to know they were built on a rocky hilltop 800 meters above sea level. Ancient builders carefully planned every detail, using early forms of “blueprints” to ensure that the buildings, some reaching up to four stories, fit perfectly with the available space.
Despite centuries of change and harsh weather, these buildings have remained sturdy and resilient. Today, they draw tourists from around the world, showcasing a rich architectural heritage that has evolved from a local gem to a global attraction.
Yahya Aref, a heritage expert and member of the Saudi Urban Heritage Association, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Thee Ain, spanning 15,354 square meters, was once called the “Marble Village” due to its rich marble deposits.
The village, built centuries ago, sits on a white cliff and features colorful, layered marble stones.
Aref explained that the village is designed in a pyramid-like shape with three levels. The top level includes forts for watching over farmland and providing protection. The central area houses the palaces, buildings, pathways, and a mosque.
He added that Thee Ain’s construction style is influential across the Arabian Peninsula.
Heritage buildings in the village start with a broad base that narrows by about 7 inches as it rises.
This design boosts the building’s durability. Additionally, small openings in the walls, which are wide inside, allowed residents to use sunlight to confuse and deter attackers.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

'Spectacular' Viking Burial Site Discovered in Denmark 

A Moesgaard Museum conservator holds a Viking Age ceramic bowl discovered at a Viking Age burial site in Lisbjerg, a village seven kilometers north of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
A Moesgaard Museum conservator holds a Viking Age ceramic bowl discovered at a Viking Age burial site in Lisbjerg, a village seven kilometers north of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
TT
TT

'Spectacular' Viking Burial Site Discovered in Denmark 

A Moesgaard Museum conservator holds a Viking Age ceramic bowl discovered at a Viking Age burial site in Lisbjerg, a village seven kilometers north of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
A Moesgaard Museum conservator holds a Viking Age ceramic bowl discovered at a Viking Age burial site in Lisbjerg, a village seven kilometers north of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, on June 13, 2025. (AFP)

In an accidental find, a 10th-century burial site believed to have belonged to a Viking noble family has been discovered in northern Denmark, packed with a "spectacular" trove of ancient objects, a museum announced Tuesday.

The discovery came when pearls, coins, ceramics and a box containing a gold thread were unearthed during construction work near Lisbjerg, a village located seven kilometers (four miles) north of Aarhus, Denmark's second-largest city.

Archaeologists found the site contained around 30 graves dating from the second half of the 10th century, when the famous King Harald Bluetooth reigned, said the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus.

According to the museum's archaeologist Mads Ravn, the graves are most likely linked to a noble family from the Viking Age -- which lasted between the eighth and 11th centuries -- whose farm was discovered less than a kilometer from the burial site in the late 1980s.

"This could have been one of Harald Bluetooth's earls or stewards," Ravn told AFP.

Ravn noted that the king, who introduced Christianity to what is today Denmark, tasked nobles with managing certain regions.

Researchers also discovered some human remains, such as teeth and bones, at the site.

"People basically took what was important to them into the grave because they wanted to transfer it to the other world," the archaeologist said.

One of the graves, which scientists believe belonged to an important woman, contained a box filled with decorative objects and a pair of scissors.

The "magnificent" box is a remarkable find, according to Ravn, with only a few having been discovered before, including one in southeastern Germany.

"It's very rare, there's only three of them we know of," he said.

The excavations at Lisbjerg are due to be completed this week, after which experts will begin a thorough analysis of the objects recovered.

Wooden objects in particular should help them accurately date the burial site.

As a royal and commercial center, Aarhus was one of Denmark's most important cities during the Viking Age.