Al-ain village in al-ais governorate: preserves stone houses, an old mosque, and remnants of its former farms, documenting aspects of agricultural and social life in one of the governorate's historic villages amid a landscape where mountains and volcanic fields meet agricultural land.
According to Saudi Press Agency, researcher Yousef bin Rajeh Al-Shadhifi, who is interested in the history of Al-Ais Governorate, explained that the village was historically known for its agricultural activity. It was particularly famous for date-palm cultivation and the production of Barni dates. Additionally, the village cultivated a variety of fruits including lemons, mangoes, oranges, pomegranates, grapes, and figs.
The stone and mud-built small houses of the village are scattered among the mountains and volcanic harrats. These structures were roofed with palm trunks, fronds, and leaves, showcasing an architectural style that utilized materials readily available in the local environment.
An old mosque stands prominently at the center of the village. Al-Shadhifi noted that it initially began as a small prayer site before being reconstructed around 1359 AH to accommodate daily, Friday, and Eid prayers. The mosque subsequently became a focal point of social life in the village.
Al-Shadhifi further mentioned that the village was inhabited until the 1390s AH. Its last residents left after the local spring dried up, prompting the people of Al-Ais to expand their farming activities to other parts of the governorate.