Cultural / 'Al-Tantoura'... A solar clock that preserved the agricultural seasons calendar in Al-Ula Al-Ula, Muharram 27, 1448 AH, corresponding to July 12, 2026 AD, SPA - 'Al-Tantoura' stands in the heart of the old town of Al-Ula Governorate, a witness to a civilizational heritage linked to human life in the region for hundreds of years; as it formed a time reference that the locals relied on to determine agricultural seasons and the succession of seasons, and contributed to organizing activities related to agriculture and daily life, to become one of the most prominent heritage landmarks that embody the memory and authenticity of the place. 'Al-Tantoura' is a solar clock built according to a precise system based on the movement of the sun and shadow, and was used by successive generations to determine the timing of agricultural seasons, the beginning of the 'Murabbaniyyah' (the 40-day winter period), and the four seasons, reflecting the knowledge of Al-Ula's residents of the environment and natural phenomena, and their ability to employ them in organizing their lives. 'Al-Tantoura' retains its place in the heart of the old town, which dates back about seven centuries, harmonizing with the traditional urban fabric of buildings, markets, and historical pathways, telling a part of Al-Ula's history, and giving visitors an experience that evokes the features of social and economic life witnessed by the oasis through the ages. The old town continues to receive its visitors as one of the most prominent cultural and heritage destinations in the governorate, while 'Al-Tantoura' remains a symbol of inherited knowledge, and a witness to the accuracy of local communities in measuring time and organizing their agricultural seasons, reflecting the depth of the civilizational heritage that Al-Ula abounds with, and confirming the continuity of its presence in the cultural scene to this day. // End // 18:33 T M 0136