Saudi Archaeology meet to highlight efforts in caring for Kingdom’s antiquities

Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), under the patronage of King Salman, is organizing the 1st Saudi Archaeology Convention from November 7 to 9, 2017, in Riyadh.

The Forum is being held under the umbrella of the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cultural Heritage Initiative”.

The opening ceremony and exhibition will be held at the National Museum in Riyadh, while the scientific conference and the workshops will be held at King Abdul Aziz Library and Hall at the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh.

The convention aims to document and highlight the various efforts that helped drive Saudi governmental institutions and individuals to care for Saudi artifacts throughout history.

The main objectives of the convention is to document and highlight the efforts by the Saudi leadership as well as government agencies and individuals in caring for the Kingdom’s antiquities throughout history. The event will also highlight the Kingdom’s historical and cultural depth nationally, regionally and internationally, while shedding light on the contribution of the pioneering generation, whether as individuals or as organizations in the field of archaeology.

The forum also aspires to raise awareness, promote national belonging among citizens, educate the Saudi youth about what monuments are about and is the country’s cultural heritage, and bring about a paradigm shift in their perception.

The forum also seeks to establish a scientific gathering of specialists and interested people in Kingdom’s antiquities and to inform them on all the related projects in this field, document the history of the archaeological work in the Kingdom and transform the issue of Antiquities into a social responsibility.

Scientific conference

The scientific conference will present a number of working papers covering all the historical periods, from Pre-history to the end of the 14th century AH.

The conference themes will cover the following: Pre-history antiquities; Ancient Rock Art; Trade and Hajj routes; Antiquities of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam; Antiquities of the Islamic eras; Architecture and Arts; Sunken Antiquities; Ancient Islamic writings; Oral heritage sites and finally job opportunities in cultural heritage.

Workshop themes

The workshops to be held during the Forum will discuss specific issues in the field of antiquities, like: Modern techniques in the field of archaeology; Restoration, rehabilitation and development of archeological sites; Role of media and citizen in raising awareness on the importance of antiquities; Preservation of antiquities (regulations, legislation, rehabilitation, development, scientific research, and international experiences); Counterfeiting of antiquities and alleged treasures; National identity and heritage; Antiquities and the future; andjob opportunities in cultural heritage.

Exhibitions

A number of exhibitions will be held at the National Museum in Riyadh lasting for 50 days from the date of the launch of the Forum, as follows: Saudi Antiquities Exhibition (Roads of Arabia Exhibition); Recovered Antiquities Exhibition; Latest Archaeological Discoveries Exhibition; Exhibition of Saudi Archaeological Pioneers Works; Exhibition of specialized books in the field of antiquities.; Historical Photo Gallery; Kingdom’s Kings caring for national heritage exhibition, which will be held in collaboration with King Abdul Aziz Dara; Photo exhibition on the restoration of Al Hejaz Railways Station in Al Madinah, which will be held in collaboration with Al Turath; Saudi Geological Survey Exhibition; Commemorative Stamp Exhibition; Fine Arts Exhibition; and Saudi Handicraft Exhibition.

Projects

A number of projects will be launched, including: Inauguration of Al Fau archeological site research books; Inauguration of new publications of the scientific theses (33 books); Inauguration of the latest issues of Saudi Antiquities Yearbook (Atlal) (24 - 29); Inauguration of Introduction to Kingdom’s Antiquities Book; Inauguration of Cultural Dimension Book; Inauguration of Antiquities Register and Archaeological Records; Inauguration of the Red List of Antiquities; and Inauguration of the Care of Historical Mosques in the Kingdom Book.