Stone Constructions, Graves at Wadi Khudrah
Stone Constructions, Graves at Wadi Khudrah
Wadi Khudrah, at the head of Wadi Sharm, is a large oasis tucked inside the
long curve of the wadi. It is an ideal destination for school trips and the Al
Ain chapter has taken several classes of students to the oasis over the years.
The oasis is interesting for the range of stone constructions and the large
cemetery.
At one time, the oasis was known for its "crop circles". These
constructions, located on the gravel plain overlooking the oasis, were unclear
for some time. On one field trip, however, some residents of the oasis explained
several of the buildings. Each circle, one man said, were to be used as a
majlis. He also pointed out a school and an Eid prayer ground.
The group was already aware of the extensive Islamic cemetery and the mosque
located nearby.
The photos in this collection show some of the detail of these buildings and
sites.
Deliberately placed
stones are indications of some kind of structure |
Well-constructed
walls are the easiest to spot |
This wall a typical
'two-wall, gravel-filled' wall we see in mountain structures |
The purpose of this
wall is uncertain |
Detail of one of
the Khudrah walls |
Most walls are not
more than two or three courses |
This wall is part
of the old school building |
This wall appears
to fade into the gravel plain |
The school building
included a small room, perhaps provided for the instructor |
All stones used
appeared to be from the top of the gravel plain based on the covering of desert
varnish |
Some sections of
wall had very little fill material |
Pottery in the area
of the buildings is very minimal |
The walls outline
the school |
Base of a small
pot |
Gently curving wall
of one of the many majlis constructions |
Another section
of majlis wall |
Laurence inspecting
another of the majlis buildings |
Photo showing how
all rocks appear to have been removed from inside the wall |
Some constructions
remain a mystery |
Another construction
that could be an ancient grave |
Placed stones
but the function unknown |
Wall of a majlis |
Section of wall
for one of the larger buildings, perhaps a house |
General view of
plain with several small constructions, purpose unknown |
View from opposite
angle |
This site was described
as house by one oasis resident |
The wall construction
is minimal for this house putting the claim in some doubt |
Most likely a small
pen for a newborn lamb; the ewe would stay with the lamb for a few days |
Another view of
the building reported to be a house |
A mound of stained
stones near a small scattering of graves |
A majlis |
Detail of the wall
of the majlis |
Manmade but function
unknown given poor condition |
What appears to
be a grave with a pile of stones on top; very unusual |
Another gravesite
perhaps |
Another view of
what may be an ancient grave |
More typical early
Islamic grave with two stone markers |
Remains of a 'bait
khaimah' near several graves |
Detail of one wall
of the 'bait khaimah' |
Another section
of wall of the house |
Beneath a pair of
acacia trees are several graves, including infant graves |
Three graves |
Adult grave |
Evidently the
grave of a juvenile |
Another juvenile
grave near the house |
The large cemetery |
Child's grave in
the large cemetery |
The cemetery at
Khudrah is one of the largest Islamic cemeteries in the area |
Some graves at the
site appear to be very recent |
Another section
of the cemetery |
The open-air mosque |
Another view of
the open-air mosque |
A child's grave,
perhaps, but with unusual construction |
Two-walled construction
below the cemetery |
This could be a
simple retaining wall |
Terrace wall construction |
What appears to
be a square majlis |
Detail of a section
of wall of the square majlis |
Near the square
majlis, the low walls are very thick |
Tall sloping wall
surrounding small terraces |
As indicated, the
wall is over a meter in height |
The stone construction
includes gravel fill |
Two walls on two
elevations |
Odd location for
walls; no terraces or structures in the area |
The weir directing
water into the oasis, one of three water sources |
View downstream
from the weir |
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