The port of Aynuna in pre-Islamic period: nautical and topographical considerations on the location of Leuke Kome

Abstract

The trade facility in Wadi Aynuna, as well as the adjacent settlement and tentative location of an ancient port are believed to be the ancient Leuke Kome, a Nabatean port which connected Petra with the Red Sea trade network. In this brief paper the author reviews some data that bring light to bear on the issue of the nautical challenges posed by sailing conditions in the Red Sea, their potential influence on the maritime trade, and the importance of Aynuna as a port in northern Arabia which, taken together, support with greater strength the identification of this location with the Leuke Kome from the ancient written sources