The Qedarites were an ancient tribal confederation of Arabia centred in their capital Dumat al-jandal in the Al-Jawf Province. Attested from the 9th century BC, the Qedarites formed a powerful polity which expanded its territory throughout the 9th to 7th centuries BC to cover a large area in northern Arabia stretching from Transjordan in the west to the western borders of Babylonia in the east, before later consolidating into a kingdom that stretched from the eastern limits of the Nile Delta in the west till Transjordan in the east and covered much of southern Judea, the Negev and the Sinai Peninsula.
Assyrian relief depicting a battle between Assyrian soldiers and Qedarite Arab warriors.
Relief from Ashurbanipal's palace depicting Assyrian soldiers pursuing camel-riding Qedarite Arab warriors.
The Neo-Babylonian king Šamaš-šuma-ukin, whose revolt against Assyria was supported by the Qedarites.
Relief from the Apadana of Persepolis depicting an Arab bringing a camel as tribute.
Dumat al-Jandal, also known as Al-Jawf or Al-Jouf, which refers to Wadi Sirhan, is an ancient city of ruins and the historical capital of the Al Jawf Province, today in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is located 37 km from Sakakah.
The ruins of the ancient city of Adummatu
Marid Castle in Dumah
Inside view of the castle
Omar Mosque and al-Dar'i Quarter in Dumat al-Jandal
