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One of the largest concentrations of ancient tombs discovered in KSA from space

Saudi Arabia retrieves 52,000 historical artefacts since 2011

ARAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 22 October 2017

JEDDAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) announced that it has successfully retrieved more than 52,000 artefacts from inside and outside the country as part of the National Project for Digital Recording of Antiquities, which follows international standards for archaeological recording and archiving.
The project aims to document and store all historic sites, artefacts, historical monument and urban heritage buildings in a comprehensive national digital registry linked to a multi-dimensional digital map, which is compatible with modern GIS technologies and digital databases, maps, images and graphics.
Director-General of Archiving and Protecting Antiquities at the SCTH, Naif Al-Qannour, said: “The new digital recording project stores detailed information and reports about 32,000 artefacts retrieved from outside the Kingdom and 20,000 returned by citizens to the SCTH since Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of SCTH, launched the campaign to retrieve national artefacts in 2011.”
“Some artefacts found their way outside Saudi Arabia through foreign travelers who moved them to other countries.” Al-Qannour continued, “One of the most famous artefacts is the Tayma Stone, which was discovered by Charles Huber and later on displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.”
He also explained that many employees of foreign companies, especially those who work in the oil industry, visited many parts of Saudi Arabia to study their geology and natural manifestations, collected the artefacts they found and took them to national museums at their home countries.
“Robbers of archaeological sites sometimes dig for archaeological treasures and achieve fast financial gains,” Al-Qannour said, “By doing so, they are destroying important archaeological evidence found in these sites, be it on land or in the sea.”
Al-Qannour stated that the SCTH will continue to work on retrieving and protecting artefacts and has released a red list of artefacts stolen from their sites inside Saudi Arabia and information about them in order to make them easier to identify. The SCTH has also announced handing financial rewards to those who return artefacts or report their loss or theft.
In 2011, Prince Sultan launched a campaign for retrieving national artefacts, including media and cultural programs and initiatives that aim to enlighten and inform citizens about the value of artefacts and the importance of returning them to the SCTH.
Recently, the SCTH released a list of 140 names of citizens who returned artefacts, reported archaeological sites or cooperated with the SCTH in protecting the country’s cultural heritage between 2013 and 2017 in order to honor them during the First Antiquities Forum, which will be launched under the patronage of King Salman, on Nov. 7 at the National Museum in Riyadh.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1181431/saudi-arabia

That's an insane amount. Great job. Robbers of archaeological sites must be punished harshly.


Current Anthropology Volume 58, Supplement 17, December 2017

Not Just a Crossroad

Population Dynamics and Changing Material Culture in Southwestern Asia during the Late Pleistocene

by Knut Bretzke and Nicholas J. Conard


http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/694077

Archaeologists baffled by these ‘gates of hell’ in Saudi Arabia
By Mike Wehner, BGR

October 20, 2017 | 10:06am |


NASA

When researchers are searching for remnants of structures and settlements constructed by ancient peoples, they typically focus on areas that are hospitable to human life. A new discovery in Saudi Arabia goes firmly against that notion, with archaeologists revealing the existence of hundreds of stone “gates” situated in and around ancient lava domes, in an area that is little more than a hellish landscape devoid of vegetation and water.

The structures, which measure anywhere from 40 feet to nearly 1,700 feet in length, are crude in their construction, built of rough rocks that have withstood thousands of years of wear and tear. What’s most interesting is that it appears that the lava fields these structures were built upon were still active at the time, with hardened lava appearing to have flowed over some of the gates.

“Gates are found almost exclusively in bleak, inhospitable lava fields with scant water or vegetation, places seemingly amongst the most unwelcoming to our species,” wrote David Kennedy of the Western University of Australia, who led the research. Kennedy noted that the structures “appear to be the oldest man-made structures in the landscape” and that at the moment, “no obvious explanation of their purpose can be discerned.”

The discovery was made using satellite imagery and the researchers used their bird’s-eye view to identify nearly 400 of the gates in the same area. Along with the odd walls, other clearly man-made structures were spotted, including what appear to be animal traps and wheel-shaped objects that have yet to be identified. The current best guess as to the age of the construction is somewhere in the neighborhood of 9,000 years.

The next step for researchers is launching some kind of expedition to investigate the site and perhaps come up with some kind of an explanation for why the structures exist and what they were used for. It’s an incredible discovery, but the structures — and their precarious location — are so mysterious that there’s bound to be an even greater story waiting to be told.

http://nypost.com/2017/10/20/archaeologists-baffled-by-these-gates-of-hell-in-saudi-arabia/

SCTH announces winners of Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Ansari Award for Serving Kingdom’s Antiquities

Last Update : 11/1/2017 2:49 PM

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The Secretariat-General of Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Ansari Award for Serving Kingdom’s Antiquities on Monday, October 30, 2017 announced the winners of the Award in its first session.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the press conference of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz President of SCTH in which he had announced the details of the 1st Saudi Archeology Convention, which is to be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah protect him) during 7-9 November 2017, at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, in Riyadh.

The first session of the award is dedicated honor the pioneers and young archeologists have provided invaluable services to the antiquities of Saudi Arabia in the field of archeological research and archeological work.

The award is organized by SCTH with the participation of King Saud University and the Saudi Society for Archaeological Studies.

The award consists of four categories: 1) Pioneers of Saudi archaeologists who have spent many years serving the antiquities and national heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2) Pioneers of non-Saudi archaeologists who have spent many years in the service of antiquities in general and have scientific contributions to the monuments and heritage of the kingdom In particular; 3) Young Saudi scholars, who are interested in the antiquities of the Kingdom, whether they are employed in the government institutions or graduate students; 4) Young non-Saudi scholars from who have an interest in the antiquities of the Kingdom both those who are engaged in this sector or graduate students in their countries.


Names of the winners are as follows:

First: Pioneer Group of Saudi Archaeologists:
  1. Al-Turath Foundation: for its pioneering role in the recovery of national antiquities from outside the Kingdom and its contributions in the areas of the development and rehabilitation of antiquities sites, in addition to its awareness-raising role in the field of antiquities through exhibitions in various locations and the publication of a number of books and researches specializing in antiquities.
  2. Late Sheikh Abdul Quddus Al Ansari: As the most prominent pioneering individual, who had been paying great attention to antiquities. His book Monuments of the Medina and another book on the history and antiquities, as well as his writings and investigations related antiquities that were published by Al Manhal Magazine, which he founded and served as its Editor-in-chief until his death.
  3. Late Sheikh Mohamed bin Balehud: coming after Al Ansari in terms of his attention to the Kingdom’s antiquities, in addition to his great book entitled "Accurate News about Arabian Antiquities", besides his efforts in the investigations of the most important book on the geography of the Arabian Peninsula entitled "Safia Jazira Arabia" (Character of Arabian Peninsula” written by Al Hamdani. Also, he was the first to verify the exact location of Souk Okaz at the request of late King Faisal.
  4. Late Sheikh Hamad Al Jasir: He outperformed his league in terms of intensity of his scientific production in the geography, history and heritage of Saudi Arabia, in addition to his scientific investigations of key historic manuscripts in multiple subjects, and his publications in Dar Al Yamama for Research, Translation and Publication, in addition to his contributions in Al Arab magazine which he founded and edited until his death.
  5. Dr. Abdullah bin Hassan Masri: In recognition of his efforts in establishing the Archaeology Department in the Ministry of Education a and promoting the development of archaeological activity through preparing the antiquities regulation, establishment of the Archaeological Survey and Exploration Project and the publication of the Saudi Antiquities Bulletin.
Second: Pioneer Group of non-Saudi archaeologists:
  1. Sheikh Abdullah Philbi: in recognition of his pioneer efforts in serving the Kingdom’s history, antiquities and geography, and his efforts in this area are countless.
  2. Green Arabia Project: because of project’s pioneering efforts in the field of pre-history studies in the Kingdom and diversity of its studies and continuity of research works.
Third: Young Saudi Researchers and Archeologists:
  1. Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Zahrani: One of senior officials of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, holder of a PhD from the University of York in UK, entitled, "Mining in Al Baha, southwest of Saudi Arabia, during early Islamic eras, an archaeological study of the Asham Settlement”.
  2. Khaled bin Fayez Al Asmari: Graduated from the College of Antiquities and Tourism, King Saud University for his master’s thesis entitled, “Al Oyayna Archeological Sites: A study of the Neolithic Age in the northwest of Saudi Arabia”.
Fourth: Young Non-Saudi Researchers and Archeologists:
  1. Romello Loreto, Italian national: In recognition of his efforts in the Domat Al Jandal excavation project.
  2. Jerome Romer, French national: For his efforts in the archaeological excavations project in Madain Saleh, and as the chief of the scientific team in Thaj Archaeological site in the Eastern Province.
The award aims to promote a trend of scientific research in the field of Archaeology and create a positive competition spirit among the researchers at local and global levels, which will contribute scientifically and methodically to the development of research and archaeological studies within the geographical scope of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This Awards was proposed by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTH and it was approved within the course of awareness raising and familiarizing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cultural Heritage Initiative, in recognition and appreciation of the great role played by the pioneering Saudi archeologist, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Ansari along with his busy and rich career as a Saudi archeologist, who discovered many archeological sites in the Kingdom and contributed to highlighting and presenting the Saudi antiquities to the world.

Dr. Al Ansari is well known as the leading archaeologist in the Kingdom, who established a division for Archaeological Study within the department of history in King Saud University, which later became a department of antiquities and then a college. He was also one of the first members of Saudi Faculty to hold a PhD from King Saud University, and the first Saudi Dean of the Faculty of Arts in King Saud University.

He has authored a number of books and research works, in addition to his scientific contributions in the national and international conferences and symposiums.

Dr. Al Ansari’s research and studies have contributed to highlight the Saudi heritage and its deep-rooted culture. He had a key role in producing a new generation of Saudi scholars and graduated who specialized in all disciplines related to the antiquities of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula.

https://scth.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/News/GeneralNews/Pages/z-g-1-1-11-17.aspx






Incredible stuff!

Saudi Arabian tourism commission to display antiques that date back to 1st millennium BC
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The antiques will be among the items displayed by the Exhibition of Saudi Archeological Masterpieces through the Ages which has visited several world museums. (SPA)



Staff writer, Al Arabiya English

Sunday, 29 October 2017









The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is currently displaying unique antique glassware and ceramics that date back to the 1st millennium BC and that were found in Qaryat al-Faw, which is around 700 kilometers away from southwest Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

These antique items were either imported from major manufacturing centers in Mashreq countries or from Egypt in the 1st and 2nd millennium BC. Alexandria in particular was well-known for manufacturing these products which were imported to several places across the East, reaching as far as Bagram in Afghanistan.

These antiques reflect the development and wealth of civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula.

Qaryat al-Faw is one of the larger and more famous archaeological sites in the Saudi kingdom. It’s historically significant as it was the capital of the first Kindah kingdom which played a major role in the Arabian Peninsula from the mid of First Century BC until early Fourth Century AD.

The antiques will be among the items displayed by the Exhibition of Saudi Archeological Masterpieces through the Ages which has visited several world museums. They will be displayed at the national antiquities exhibition scheduled for November 7,8 and 9 in Riyadh.

Last Update: Sunday, 29 October 2017 KSA 15:29 - GMT 12:29

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/li...-hosting-exhibition-on-refugees-in-Dubai.html
 
12.000 year old rock art, a World UNESCO Heritage Site:


Some ancient heritage sites in KSA:



The famous and successful 'Roads of Arabia exhibition" containing almost 500 ancient artifacts is touring in Japan now after having been visited by 100.000's of people from the US to China, South Korea, numerous European countries etc.

Wonderful documentary;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUZ289zGhsU


Ancient town in Hijaz (Al-Ula) dating back to at least 1000 BC:


SCTHA aims to increase the number of ancient heritage sites that can be visited from 75 to 155 by 2020.


KSA is home to 1000's of ancient historical sites dating back to at least 2000 years ago.


https://twitter.com/SCTHKSA

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Old buildings and heritage sites dating back to the early Islamic age, which are in need of repair, are being modernized;

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Renovated old village town squares in Najd displaying the Najdi traditional style in the past 800 years.

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Old Roman remains in Northern KSA. Parts of modern-day Northern KSA used to be a part of the Roman Empire. Just as there were 2 Roman emperors of Arab origin. Philip the Arab being one.

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Remains of one of the earliest mosques in the world, the Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab (ra) mosque in the ancient city of Dumat al-Jandal (at least 3000 years old - attested history of 3000 years);

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumat_al-Jandal

Highlighting the importance of conversation efforts of ancient artifacts.

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Ancient rock engravings showing lions (last wild Arabia lion was killed by hunters in KSA some 100 years ago) in the ancient city of Tayma (dating back to the earliest Babylonian times and a important part of the Babylonian empire);

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tayma

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Source; The Twitter user "Old Arabia" (excellent user and content - tons of it)

https://twitter.com/OldArabia

Arabian lions were the most famous and those captured by Romans and displayed in the Colosseum. This can be googled. We Arabs respected and loved lions so much that we have numerous Arab names named after the lion. Today those are Islamic lions. For example Assad means lion.

A video about the extinct Arabian lion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae6Xk_r-7fA

There has been talk of reintroducing it to the many Saudi Arabian national parks and protected wild areas.

In Tayma one of the oldest Aramaic inscriptions in the world (once a lingua franca of the Arab world and ancient Near East, including the Persian empire when they appeared in history 2500 years ago) was found.



Aramaic is a closely related language to Arabic.

Old mountain fort in Najran, Southern KSA. Such forts were built in every mountain village in Arabia to defend and watch other hostile entities.

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Just like in Najd there are tall watchtowers (sometimes 60 meters tall) that served the same purpose but this time in lowland/desert/highland (maximum elevation of 1600 meters) geography. Citizens and watchmen could spot incoming intruders from afar this way.

Ancient town of Khaybar, known in the Islamic history as being an ancient Jewish town, home to one of the oldest Israelite communities outside of Palestine/Israel.

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Old traditional house in Al-Bahah, Southern Hijaz. A mountain city almost located 2500 meters above sea level with a fantastic climate.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bahah

It was the summer capital of the Hijazi Hashemites that ruled Hijaz for almost 1000 years. One of the longest ruling dynasties in the world.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharifate_of_Mecca

2000 year old rock engravings of 12 camel figures discovered in Northern KSA in the middle of a desert there. In the ancient world the camel was the Mercedes Benz of today. It was the most expensive animal after the horse. Speaking about horses, the Arabian horse is the most famous and expensive horse in the world. Native to Arabia and domesticated (according to most recent findings), maybe as early as 8000 years ago in Arabia.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/science/camels-sculptures-desert-saudi-arabia.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=sectionfront

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/...mel-sculptures-in-saudi-desert/article/515949

They (even today) provide very reliable transportation, food (meat), milk (cheeses, yoghurt), wool and even their escrament can be used as fuel to make bonfires. Before the modern-day era, its importance could not be underestimated. From Mongolia/China to Africa. In South America there is the lama, a close relative.

For instance it were camels imported from Afghanistan and South Asia that built the Australian infrastructure (initially) and helped built railways. Today Australia has more wild camels than any country in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_feral_camel

Some artifacts of the Najdi Kindah Kingdom that flourished some 2000 years ago.

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Michael Petraglia‏ @MDPetraglia
Patrick Roberts in our lab, being interviewed today on a documentary about Arabian archaeology!@MPI_SHH #Archaeology #SaudiArabia

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Pascal Flohr‏ @Pascal_Flohr 1. feb.
  1. Just another day at the @EAMENA123 office, looking at beautiful #archaeology in the desert of #SaudiArabia

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    Saudi Arabia honours Egyptian Egyptologist Zahi Hawass for his devotion to archaeology http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/289085.aspx

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    China has carried out 15 joint archaeology projects in 12 countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India and Myanmar and helped six countries with historical protection and restoration. http://bit.ly/2zk6oHT

    DRt9fP3V4AAQTNA.jpg


    @TheCamelGuy @Gomig-21 @EgyptianAmerican @Arabi @The SC @SALMAN F @mahatir etc.
That's it for now. Should write a book one day or two.:lol:
 
Uncovering secrets of mystery civilization in Saudi Arabia
By Sylvia SmithBBC News, Saudi Arabia
  • 3 October 2019

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Image copyrightRICHARD DUEBEL
Image captionThis rock tomb is just one of the monuments left in the area by the Nabataeans
A team of researchers is carrying out the first in-depth archaeological survey of part of Saudi Arabia, in a bid to shed light on a mysterious civilisation that once lived there. The Nabataean culture left behind sophisticated stone monuments, but many sites remain unexplored.

The rock-strewn deserts of Al Ula in Saudi Arabia are known for their pitch-black skies, which allow stargazers to easily study celestial bodies without the problem of light pollution.

But the region is becoming even more attractive for archaeologists.

A long-lost culture known as the Nabataean civilisation inhabited the area starting from around 100 BC and persisted for some 200 years.

While the Nabataeans ruled their empire from the stunning city of Petra in Jordan, they made Hegra (the modern Mada'in Saleh) in Al Ula their second capital.

Now, archaeologists are planning to carry out the first in-depth survey of a chunk of land here that's roughly the size of Belgium.

The large international team of more than 60 experts has started work on an initial, two-year project to survey the core area of 3,300 sq km in north-western Saudi Arabia.

This is the first time such a large area of more or less scientifically uncharted territory has been systematically investigated.

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Image copyrightRICHARD DUEBEL
Image captionThe sophisticated Nabataean culture inhabited Arabia and the Levant in antiquity
The Nabataeans
  • They inhabited northern Arabia and the southern Levant from the fourth century BC until AD 106
  • Their capital was Petra in Jordan, but Mada'in Saleh in Saudi Arabia was also an important centre
  • Their sophisticated architectural tradition was influenced by the Mesopotamians and Greeks. They carved the fronts of temples and tombs out of rock cliffs
  • There are many examples of Nabataean graffiti and inscriptions, but no substantial texts or literature have been found
  • Their status as an independent civilisation came to an end with the conquest of Nabataea by the Roman emperor Trajan
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Image copyrightEPA
Image captionThe Nabataeans made their capital at Petra in Jordan
Excavations have been carried out in and around Mada'in Saleh and other recognised Nabataean sites for some time by a group of Saudi archaeologists including Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, a lecturer at the King Saud University in Riyadh.

"I have focused on the earlier Dedanite and Lihyanite civilisations," he explains. "Now that the Royal Commission for Al Ula is involved there will be greater scope for deeper understanding of how early societies evolved."

The involvement of the Royal Commission ensures that cutting-edge technology is at the disposal of archaeologists experienced in the field.

While Google Earth and the trained eye can often distinguish natural and man-made features, it is light aircraft equipped with specialist cameras that offer the most detailed imagery of the territory - which includes the Al Ula wadi and its feeder valleys. This can capture hitherto unknown archaeological features.

According to Rebecca Foote, the American archaeologist in charge of the survey for the Royal Commission for Al Ula, previous efforts have concentrated on excavation, because a systematic survey on this scale requires time and resources that are only now available.

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Image copyrightRICHARD DUEBEL
Image captionArchaeologists are surveying the Al Ula wadi to uncover hitherto unknown archaeological features
She believes that the scope of the undertaking will put Saudi Arabia on the ancient history map.

"A great deal is known about the first to third millennium BC and we're well informed about ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia," she acknowledges.

"Yet comparatively little about the Arabian peninsula in ancient times has been discovered. Exactly how our findings will impact on understanding of ancient history, we don't yet know. But it is likely to reshape the world view of earlier periods."

Foote spent many years working in Petra, the ancient city in Jordan that remains the best known monument left by the Nabataean civilisation. She says aerial archaeology will be key to exploring the culture's funerary architecture, standing stones and more unusual sites that would otherwise take years to investigate.

"The technology now provides a reliable and comprehensive overview," she explains. "Nothing like this has been done before on this scale."

While earlier French-led excavations revealed a loosely controlled incense trading network running up the western side of Arabia and passing through Al Ula, Rebecca Foote is keen to build on this and learn more about the role water played in the area's prosperity.

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Image copyrightRICHARD DUEBEL
Image captionMany civilisations have inhabited the area - and left their mark
She comments: "We can guess that they had a successful agricultural economy, but was there a tax on incense? How did they manage their water?"

With the hydrology study about to start, answers should begin to come in thanks in part to the work of the aerial archaeology team, which helps pinpoint specific locations.

Flying at between two and three thousand feet, the integrated survey group led by Oxford Archaeology's Jamie Quartermaine has already covered half the anticipated 11,500 sites. Often known as preventative surveys, this work is usually carried out to ensure that no future building work will come near archaeological sites.

"We've learned from the mistakes of other countries and we're taking the time to prevent any damage here," he says. "Being accessible to the general public, as is planned for the future, doesn't mean a free-for all."

The survey also helps provide answers for specialists in fields such as rock art. "Even five years ago GPS just wasn't accurate enough," Jamie Quartermaine explains. "Today we are using several different methods of photography including drones, cameras suspended below the body of light aircraft and cutting-edge aerial orthophotography."

Providing an adjusted image every two to three seconds, the thousands of pictures measure true distances - having been adjusted for topographic relief. Specialist software combines these into a high-resolution, detailed model of the landscape.

The cameras are set at a 45-degree angle and so far have found burial sites, Bronze Age funerary landscapes and burial structures. Additionally, drones are used with cameras set at the same angle. "This allows us to view not only the horizontal plane, but to some extent the vertical," he continues. "We're forewarned as to the likelihood of finding rock art in particular locations."

The final stage of the survey sends specialist team members, such as rock art expert Maria Guagnin, out into the field on foot. Having spent five years in northern Arabia, Maria is impressed by the huge database being created that covers all periods.

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Image copyrightRICHARD DUEBEL
Image captionAmr Almadani works with the Royal Commission for Al Ula, which is backing a systematic survey of the area
"For the first time, we're looking at every aspect of the archaeological landscape," she points out. "Our knowledge of the prehistoric distribution of animal species is so far largely dependent on the location of excavated archaeological and palaeontological sites.

"Many species have been assumed to have been absent from the Arabian peninsula, but rock art panels have shown otherwise."

The presence of previously undocumented mammal species in Al Ula provides new information regarding their distribution, as well as the types of habitat and vegetation that were available in prehistoric landscapes.

Animal depictions also help with dating. It is considered unlikely, for example, that horses or camels with riders existed before 1,200 BC.

Domesticated cattle, sheep and goats were introduced to the Arabian peninsula between 6,800 and 6,200 BC. They were domesticated in the Levant and brought to Saudi Arabia. That provides a way of dating rock art, because prior to that date it's unlikely domesticated animals were in the area.

The vast amount of information being collated by the Al Ula international team is likely to be of use to sites such as Petra, including revealing likely routes between Petra and Mada'in Saleh (Hegra).

Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani has been excavating for some years at Dedan, a site holding evidence of a civilisation that pre-dates the Nabataeans. He says the scope of the work is such that it will take generations to get to grips with the results: "What makes this work so important on the world stage is that it will provide an account of not just Mada'in Saleh and Petra but earlier civilisations that are largely unknown to us."

One of Abdulrahman's roles is training students from the King Saud University in Riyadh, which has a small outpost in Al Ula.

"They are learning in the context of one of the most extensive surveys and subsequent excavations," he says. "Today's students may well make discoveries that we can't even imagine today."


https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49424036

Saudi Arabia's historical sites are every bit as splendid as their better-known neighbours

Tourists are already beginning to discover the archaeological treasures that form a rich heritage, just weeks after a new visit visa was introduced

See more:

https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/...did-as-their-better-known-neighbours-1.921835

Performing aerial photography and ground survey in Khaybar, Saudi Arabia


The oasis town of Khaybar has a history dating from the Paleolithic to modern times. Khaybar arguably has some of the densest concentrations of archaeological remains in the world, including radiating avenues of funerary structures, desert kites (animal-hunting traps), Mustatil, and several phenomenal forts dating to the time of the prophet. Our project seeks to document, identify and analyse these structures, illuminating the past of this archaeological landscape. It will use satellite imagery, aerial photography, drone photography, three-dimensional modelling and more traditional survey techniques.

See more:

https://www.uwa.edu.au/projects/aerial-archaeology-in-saudi-arabia

A long-lost civilization in Saudi Arabia

An international team of more than 60 experts is working on a two-year project to survey 3,300 sq km in north-western Saudi Arabia. Archaeologists and other specialists are surveying the rock-strewn deserts of Al Ula – an area roughly the size of Belgium – in search of a long-lost civilisation which once lived there.

See more:

https://www.hunebednieuwscafe.nl/2019/11/a-long-lost-civilization-in-saudi-arabia/
 

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