RAFHA: As summer temperatures rise, the historic wells of the Northern Borders region offer a reminder of a time when access to water shaped daily life across the desert.
During the hottest months, known locally as Al-Maqyadh or Al-Maqtan, residents and travelers gathered around permanent wells, which became temporary settlements for families, herders and passing caravans, reflecting the central role water played in the region’s history.
The area is home to numerous hand-dug wells, many excavated hundreds — and in some cases, thousands — of years ago. They supplied water to local communities and travelers, sustaining settlement and movement across the harsh desert landscape.
History and archaeology enthusiast Khalaf Al-Ghufaili told the Saudi Press Agency that Al-Maqtan sites once served as seasonal centers of social and economic life.
They were more than sources of drinking water; they served as places of temporary settlement and mutual exchange, strengthened social ties, and supported the continued movement of herders and travelers along desert routes.
Many of the wells still retain their traditional architectural features, reflecting the ingenuity of earlier generations in locating groundwater and excavating wells under challenging desert conditions, Al-Ghufaili said.
He added that preserving and documenting the sites helps showcase the region’s cultural heritage while strengthening its place on Saudi Arabia’s heritage tourism map.
Historical evidence shows that these wells evolved beyond serving as water sources to become enduring cultural landmarks that document the relationship between people and their environment.
They also reflect generations of knowledge in harnessing natural resources and adapting to the demands of desert life, forming an integral part of the region’s memory and human heritage.
Today, the historic wells are viewed as promising heritage tourism destinations because of their historical and cultural significance.
Preserving them, Al-Ghufaili said, will help ensure future generations understand how access to water shaped settlement, resilience and community life across the Northern Borders desert.
