The Tree of Life (Shajarat-al-Hayat) is a Prosopis cineraria tree estimate to be approximately 400 year-old. The tree stands on top of a sandy hill that formed around the ruins of a 500-year-old fortress. The tree is so named as there is no apparent source for it to draw water leading to many myths about its origin. This local attraction is visited by approximately 50,000 tourists every year. Archaeologists began excavations around the site in 2010 unearthing pottery and other artifacts some of which may date back to the Dilmun civilisation.