Al- Rabadha

   An early Islamic archaeological site, located some 200 kilometers north east of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah.

  The archaeological excavations conducted by King Saud University team, concluded that Al-Rabadha has emerged as pasture reserve (hima) during the time of the four Caliphs. Then; it developed into a town during the Umayyad period. Consequently; the town reached its peak and turned into an important urban center during the early Abassid era; 3rd century A.H. ( 9th century A.D.), when it became a major station on Darb Zubaydah; the pilgrim route linking Kufa to Makkah.

   Archaeological remains in the site, comprise well-arranged and fortified residential quarters, palaces, two mosques, an industrial area and a circular water reservoir (birka). A large numbers of domestic water tanks were also found.

   Excavations at the site yielded a large number of pottery vessels, stone objects, coins, Islamic inscriptions and other written materials. Asubstantial number of jewelary and metal objects were also recovered.

  Al-Rabadha revealed some new information on the nature of certain elements of the Islamic civilization during the early phases of Islam.