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Madain Saleh

Madain Saleh, home of the extinct civilization of the Nabatian people (`300 BC to 106 AD). This location was said to be the second capital of these people south of their main city Petra, in Jordan.
After arriving in our hotel in the town of Al Uli, I walked down into an old farm area and found this wall and tree.
After arriving in our hotel in the town of Al Uli, I walked down into an old farm area and found this wall and tree.		 Petroglyphs on the rock.
Petroglyphs on the rock.		 Dedan, abandoned city state on the incense trade route though Saudi Arabia..
Dedan, abandoned city state on the incense trade route though Saudi Arabia..		 Part of the ruins are being reconstructed.
Part of the ruins are being reconstructed.
The old city of Dedan.
The old city of Dedan.		 Our 'local' tour guide.
Our 'local' tour guide.		 History
History		 Flat country with large rocks.
Flat country with large rocks.
Moments after a small dust storm passed by.
Moments after a small dust storm passed by.		 The 'House of Delights,' definitely the most popular business in town.
The 'House of Delights,' definitely the most popular business in town.		 Our first site of the ruins / tombs of Madain Saleh
Our first site of the ruins / tombs of Madain Saleh		 The carvings were less complex than Jordan's Petra, yet had more detail as you will see later.
The carvings were less complex than Jordan's Petra, yet had more detail as you will see later.
One right beside the other in these rock outcrops.
One right beside the other in these rock outcrops.		 I found the facades to be fascinating.
I found the facades to be fascinating.		 Each is a tomb. The houses would have been like Dedan but of a MUCH older age and have been worn away by time.
Each is a tomb. The houses would have been like Dedan but of a MUCH older age and have been worn away by time.		 We found human remains but were told that they were recent Beduin.
We found human remains but were told that they were recent Beduin.
Looking from the inside out.
Looking from the inside out.		 The detail on this bird is more than anything I saw at Petra.
The detail on this bird is more than anything I saw at Petra.		 We were told that the face was of a slave and the two snakes mean that this is the tomb of a herbal Dr.
We were told that the face was of a slave and the two snakes mean that this is the tomb of a herbal Dr.		 Larger area of the previous image
Larger area of the previous image
Not sure if it was because of the correct characteristics of the stone or what, but where there was one tomb there were many.
Not sure if it was because of the correct characteristics of the stone or what, but where there was one tomb there were many.		 This was one of the unique ones and largest.
This was one of the unique ones and largest.		 The size of this gathering call was stunning -- and out of solid rock.
The size of this gathering call was stunning -- and out of solid rock.		 Climbing up a gap to look at inscriptions on the rock inside.
Climbing up a gap to look at inscriptions on the rock inside.
Gives some perspective
Gives some perspective		 See the one just being built to the right? They carved from the top down.
See the one just being built to the right? They carved from the top down.		 And this is how we took our pictures! 8-)
And this is how we took our pictures! 8-)

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