Aynuna: A Case Study of the Changing Functions of a Hijazi Coastal Settlement from the Nabatean to the Early Islamic Period

A recent study proved that Aynuna has been settled since at least the Hellenistic period and was major settlement on Arabian coast of northern Red Sea in Nabatean/Roman period, serving as port Petra. Scientific literature is mostly concerned with identification ancient Leuke Kome, leaving aside later history site. In late Roman/Byzantine its significance a trade centre slowly diminished, although it might have remained tax collection point. early Islamic served local agricultural war for forces conquering Eastern Desert. Later on, accessibility fresh water made stop Egyptian Hajj Route, antique Aynuna/Leuke Kome finally became ‘Aynūna. This paper aims to present diachronic analysis changing functions site using published archaeological reports Arabic written sources.