Ever wonder how a seemingly barren landscape can hold ancient secrets? Here at Sabkhat an Nabiyah, the story begins long before modern Dammam.
Sabkhat an Nabiyah whispers tales from over two thousand years ago. Tombs and dwelling remnants hint at its past. However, the encroaching desert sands buried most traces of human life. For centuries, the area lay largely deserted.
In the early 1920s, a new chapter began for Dammam. The Al Dossary tribe, led by Sheikh Ahmed Ibn Abdullah ibn Hassan Al Dossary, migrated from Bahrain. King Abdulaziz gave them the opportunity to choose land for settlement. Al Dammam was chosen because of its proximity to Bahrain. The clan initially hoped to return there soon. British rule made movement difficult so they settled here permanently.
The origins of Dammam’s name are debated. Some believe it comes from a drum. The drum was positioned in a nearby keep. It sounded an alarm producing a melody called “damdamah.” Others say the name comes from the Arabic word “dawwama” meaning whirlpool. This indicated a nearby sea site that Dhows usually avoided.
When the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932, Dammam consisted of small hamlets. These depended on fishing and pearls. The discovery of oil in commercial quantities transformed the area. The famous Dammam No. 7 well proved the Kingdom’s large hydrocarbon supply. This discovery triggered a building boom. Experts and technicians arrived to search for new oil fields. New pipelines were installed. Storage facilities were built. Jetties were constructed to handle tankers.
The oil industry’s growth impacted Dammam significantly. Mudbrick huts gave way to concrete buildings and modern infrastructure. Dammam transformed from a fishing village into the capital of the Eastern Province. Dammam, Dhahran, and Al-Khobar merged creating the Dammam Metropolitan Area.
Today, Sabkhat an Nabiyah stands as a reminder of Dammam’s transformation. From ancient tombs to its role in Saudi Arabia’s oil boom. The area is a testament to the passage of time. It reflects the blend of tradition and modernity that defines Dammam today.