Najran

According to the Martyrdom of Arethas, Najran derives from a Hebrew term meaning both "thundering city" or "invincible lock". According to Christian J. Robin, this source is well-informed but not exact: in ancient times, the oasis was called both Najran and Rgmt, with the latter deriving from the Hebrew Raʿma, meaning "thundering city", while the Arabic najrān means "invincible lock". The "lock" etymology is based on Najran's place in travel and trade on the peninsula, as Najran acts as the "lock" that gives access to Yemen. The Hebrew name for the site is used in the Old Testament (Genesis 10:7, 1 Chronicles 1:9, Ezekiel 27:22), where it is associated with the South Arabian kingdom of Sheba. The name Najran is used in local Sabaic inscriptions, as well as Greek, Latin, Nabataean, and Ge'ez sources. …

In the early 1st millennium BC, Najran was controlled by a commune called Muhamirum, which in alliance with other communes, especially Amirum, formed a federation. The great Sabaean mukarrib Karib'il Watar conquered this federation in the early 7th century BC as part of a series of conquests that he described in a lengthy Sabaic inscription that commemorated the achievements of his reign. The federation survived under the tutelage Sabaean domination, and an inscription from the late 7th century BC describes its failed attempt to break away from the kingdom. The major role already played by Najran in trade in this time is reflected by a passage mentioning it in the biblical Book of Ezekiel (27:20–23):Dedan [today al-Ula in the Hijaz] traded in saddlecloths with you. …

The Najran oasis stands 4,500 feet above sea-level. Its tallest point is 2,000 feet high in the oasis, or 6,500 feet above sea-level. The length and width of the oasis is 15 and 2 miles, respectively. The oasis has a layer of sandstone lying above igneous rocks (basalt and granite). This sandstone belt stretches over a considerable area across the oasis and has historically facilitated the movement of peoples through Najran (compared with the surrounding granite mountains), enabling both trade and invasion. Many trade routes cross through this area, where many graffiti have been found. In the middle of an arid environment, it hosts rich soil and abundant water resources, and it is an obligatory passageway to reach Yemen when entering from the Hejaz or the Arabian Gulf.

The fort of Najran was constructed in 1942. In 1967, it was decommissioned. Before this, it was the palace of the local emir. Despite its recent construction, it was built according to earlier architectural norms, with thick mud walls and a high ceiling whose height is supported by palm rafters. Today, it is one of the main tourist attractions of the town. In 1981, construction for the Najran Valley Dam was completed, in the Wadi Najran about 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of the main city. Its purposes include water supply, flood control and groundwater recharge.