Archaeologists Identify Possible Location of Ancient People of ‘Ad and Legendary City of Iram in Southern Jordan

Archaeologists Identify Possible Location of Ancient People of ‘Ad and Legendary City of Iram in Southern Jordan
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Recent archaeological research suggests that the ancient people of ‘Ad and the fabled city of Iram, mentioned in the Qur’an, may have been located in southern Jordan, challenging centuries of belief that placed them in Yemen.

According to new studies — including work by Ahmad Al-Jallad — and findings from Nabataean inscriptions, evidence indicates that both ‘Ad and Iram were situated near Wadi Rum and Jabal Rum, regions known for their ancient temples and rock inscriptions.

Archaeologists Savignac and Horsfield earlier discovered a Nabataean inscription at a temple near Jabal Rum referring to “the great god in Iram.” Another inscription from Ayn al-Shallalah mentions Lat, the chief deity of Iram, confirming the city’s religious and historical significance. A further text found in Wadi Rum refers explicitly to the people of ‘Ad in connection with the construction of a temple, pointing to their settlement in the area.

A 2015 excavation also unearthed funerary inscriptions mourning members of the tribe of ‘Ad, indicating their long-term presence in southern Jordan.

Al-Jallad proposes that verses 6 and 7 of Surah Al-Fajr should be read as “bi-‘Ādi Iram dhāt al-‘imād” — meaning “the people of ‘Ad of Iram, the city of lofty pillars.” In this reading, ‘Ad refers to the inhabitants and Iram to their city, clarifying their relationship and resolving interpretive ambiguities in classical exegesis.

Epigrapher Arash Jamshidpour supports this interpretation, citing Nabataean inscriptions that directly record the names ‘Ad and Iram in temples across the region.

Experts say these discoveries not only shed light on the historical geography of the Arabian Peninsula but also provide valuable insight into the Qur’anic narrative, suggesting that the legendary city of Iram — often called “the Atlantis of the Sands” — may have truly existed in what is now southern Jordan.