Hali Stone Circles in Al-Qunfudhah Offer a Window into History

Aerial imagery captured by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in the Hali area of Al-Qunfudhah Governorate has revealed a series of interlocking circular stone formations traced across the landscape, shedding light on ancient structures rooted in the region's distant past.

 Built from local volcanic rock, the rings vary in size and configuration, blending into the terrain at ground level while forming distinct, deliberate patterns from above. Historian and researcher Dr. Mohammed Al-Marhabi noted to SPA that their overlapping layout and geometric precision suggest a purposeful design rather than random placement, pointing toward a potential mathematical or astronomical function.

 Linking the formations to the area's deep history of human settlement, Al-Marhabi noted that the surrounding fertile valley served as a major historic population center with ancient ties to Makkah and a documented tradition of tracking seasons and calendars. Because the layout does not indicate habitation or burial, he hypothesizes that the structures may have been used to observe weather patterns, seasons, and celestial movements, calling for further specialized research to examine the site within its regional context.