Beehives In Saudi Mountain Range Have Survived 1000 Years!
Nestled within the majestic Sarawat Mountain range in western Saudi Arabia, the ancient beehives of the Maysan Governorate are a testament to a region boasting some of the most remarkable environmental engineering formations. These include around 1,200 beehives that once served as a crucial daily sustenance source for its early inhabitants.
The abandoned village of Kharfi, located south of Taif in the Maysan Governorate, houses the most impressive of these historical beehives, reports Arab News. Today, the Maysan Governorate’s honeybees are central to Saudi honey production and sales. These beekeeping sites, dating back to ancient times, highlight the early community’s enduring interest in honey production.
The antique beehives of Maysan, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Generations of Settlers Developed Massive Beehives
Over generations, human communities in this area developed sophisticated water channels, constructed towering granaries, and built massive stone beehives. They also developed an intricate system of agricultural terraces that enabled the cultivation of orchards and gardens on mountaintops and steep valleys.
Writers of antiquity were fascinated by the region’s beekeeping industry. Strabo, the renowned Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian (64 BC - 24 AD), praised honey as one of the most prominent products of “Arabia Felix.”
The preserved cultural landscape around these ancient apiaries features agricultural terraces, livestock areas, defensive structures, including a 20-meter-tall stone fortress guarding the apiaries, and the ruins of Kharfi village. These apiaries, likely over a thousand years old, were maintained and passed down within families through generations. Aligned along curved terraces on a steep mountainside, the beehives exhibit a remarkable design that mimics the facades of modern high-rise buildings, reports Arkeonews.
PA recounts how Abdulwahab Al-Khedidi, a history enthusiast, has highlighted Al-Kharfi’s beekeeping site as an architectural marvel situated between Al-Sara and Tihama, dating back more than a millennium. The apiaries feature intricate geometric stone patterns spanning up to four levels, showcasing impressive engineering for honey production. Solid stones and columns reinforce the honeycombs, and the floors, constructed from large, closely positioned stones, require skill to navigate due to the site’s challenging terrain.
The hives, dating back over 10 centuries, serve as evidence of the place’s authenticity and deep-rooted history. The famous mountains currently also serve as a summer resort for visitors and boast a rich historical legacy recorded in local poetry. The first settlers carefully chose their location between the mountain tops for their rich diversity of over 50 aromatic plants, including Rue, Rayahin, Dosh, Basil, Dharm, Marjoram, Lavender, and other rare wildflowers.
The most impressive antique beehives are located outside Kharfi, located south of Taif in the Maysan Governorate. (SPA)
Terrace Farming in the Ancient World
The region’s rich historical context extends to a sophisticated agricultural system. The terraces, carved into the steep mountainsides, were essential for water conservation and soil retention, enabling the growth of various crops, transforming the rugged terrain into a productive agricultural landscape.
Defensive features, such as the 20-meter (65.6 feet)-tall stone fortress overlooking the apiaries, reflect the strategic importance of the region and the need to protect valuable resources. This fortress not only guarded the beehives but also provided a vantage point to monitor and defend the surrounding area. The ruins of the village of Kharfi offer further insights into the daily lives of the early settlers, with remnants of houses, communal areas, and storage facilities that paint a picture of a well-organized and thriving community.
The architectural design of the beehives themselves is a marvel of ancient engineering: the beehives, constructed from locally sourced stones, are arranged in a manner that maximizes space and efficiency. The use of geometric patterns and solid stone columns to reinforce the honeycombs indicates a deep understanding of structural integrity and design aesthetics. The multi-level construction of the hives allowed for the efficient production and storage of honey, which was a valuable commodity for trade and sustenance, explains the same Arab News report.
Top image: The antique beehives of Maysan, Saudi Arabia. Source: SPA
By Sahir Pandey
References
Altuntas, L. 2024. Beehives of Saudi Arabia’s Thought to be Over 1,000 Years Old. Available at: https://arkeonews.net/beehives-of-saudi-arabias-thought-to-be-over-1000-years-old/.
SPA. 2024. Beehives of Saudi Arabia’s Maysan believed to be over 1,000 years old. Available at: https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2535151/saudi-arabia.
