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The rock stands on Jabal an-Naslaa, south-west of Tayma. Local people call it “Hasat an-Naslaa”.
It is a sandstone block cut in two by a thin, straight split. Each half rests on a small base. Saudipedia gives a height of about 8 metres. Live Science gives about 6 metres high and 9 metres wide.
The surface bears ancient inscriptions, described as Thamudic by Saudipedia, and drawings of animals, including horses and ibexes according to Wikipedia.
The origin of the split is not settled. Saudipedia suggests that the weaker left part slid. Others suggest a natural fracture in the rock, later widened by erosion.
What is certain and what is not
- Certain: a split block with inscriptions and drawings, south-west of Tayma (Saudipedia, Ministry of Tourism, SPA).
- Uncertain: the age of the inscriptions. Saudipedia says some are “3,000 years old”, without citing a study.
- Uncertain: the cause of the split.
- Uncertain: the coordinates. They come from Live Science and agree with Wikipedia; no official Saudi source found publishes them.
- To check on site: the access track (off-road vehicle needed or not).
- Saudipedia (French), al-Naslaa Rock: https://saudipedia.com/fr/rocher-d%E2%80%99al-naslaa
- Live Science, 30 August 2024 (coordinates and dimensions): https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/al-naslaa-rock-saudi-arabia-s-enigmatic-sandstone-block-that-s-split-perfectly-down-the-middle
- Wikipedia (supplementary): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Naslaa