Latest news with #HeritageCommission
Arab News
6 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Heritage Commission records 53 violations in March and April as oversight efforts continue
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission recorded 53 violations related to antiquities and urban heritage across several regions of the Kingdom during March and April 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. It comes as part of the commission's efforts to protect Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and address irregular practices that threaten its preservation, SPA added. In March, 29 violations were identified, including the unauthorized sale of antiquities and the carrying out of archaeological survey and excavation activities without the required permits. Several violations were also detected via social media platforms. Two cases were referred to the Public Prosecution, seven were sent to the Violations Review Committee, and 20 were passed on to the relevant security authorities. In April, the commission monitored 24 violations, including encroachments on archaeological sites in Madinah, the Eastern Province, Tabuk, Hail, the Northern Borders Region and Al-Jouf. These included unauthorized entry into sites, tampering with fencing or signage, and the unlicensed use of metal detectors. Additional violations were uncovered through digital platforms, involving the possession and display of manuscripts, coins and historical replicas intended for illegal trade. The commission has initiated legal action in several cases, referring some to the Public Prosecution and others to Public Security. The Violations Review Committee has issued financial penalties ranging from SR5,000 ($1,332) to SR50,000. The Heritage Commission stressed that monitoring and enforcement efforts are part of a broader strategy to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the Kingdom's antiquities and preventing actions that could damage their historical or cultural significance. It also emphasized the vital role of community members and institutions in safeguarding the nation's heritage. Citizens and residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or attempts to trade antiquities through official channels, including the 'Archaeological Report' service, the Commission's social media accounts, or the Unified Security Operations Center at 911. The commission reiterated that preserving national heritage was a shared responsibility that requires collective action.
Asharq Al-Awsat
26-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Joint Saudi-French Archaeological Mission Completes Excavations on Farasan Island's Ancient Sites
The Heritage Commission has concluded a joint Saudi-French archaeological mission that excavated ancient sites dating back to the period between the first and third centuries AD on the Farasan Island in the Jazan Region. The effort was conducted in collaboration with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University and featured a team of experts from the French National Center for Scientific Research. The excavation sites, including Qusar, Ghurrayn, and Wadi Shami, were integral to the project, which sought to complete the archaeological works in the area. The mission aimed to reveal the phases of settlement and chronological sequences at the archaeological sites, alongside studying various burial sites. These efforts are part of a scientific project that spotlights the historical and strategic importance of the Farasan archipelago, particularly its pivotal role in maritime trade across the Red Sea during different historical periods. The mission involved male and female students from national universities as well as participants from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, engaging in a field training program under the guidance of academics and specialized experts. Previous excavations conducted from 2011 to 2024 under the project have yielded significant findings dating back to the Bronze Age and periods associated with the states of Southern Arabia. Discoveries included watchtowers and industrial sites believed to be remnants of a camp established in the 2nd century BC to monitor and protect maritime trade routes. These archaeological findings underscore the deep cultural exchange that occurred on the Farasan islands, showcasing their pivotal role in connecting the civilizations of Southern Arabia with those of the Mediterranean. Prehistoric shell mounds and human settlements further emphasize the islands' historical significance.
CairoScene
25-05-2025
- Science
- CairoScene
Oldest Known Use of Harmal Unearthed in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Region
Harmal residue discovered in a 2,700-year-old tomb offers rare insight into Iron Age Arabian culture. A new study published in Communications Biology has revealed the earliest known use of the harmal plant (Peganum harmala) in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back approximately 2,700 years. The discovery was made at the ancient Midianite site of Qurayyah in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region, where archaeologists recovered charred remains of the plant from a burial context. Led by Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission in collaboration with Germany's Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of Vienna, the research team used advanced chemical analysis—including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry—to detect alkaloids specific to Peganum harmala. The plant, widely known for its psychoactive and antibacterial properties, has long been used in traditional healing and rituals across the Middle East. The presence of harmal in an Iron Age tomb suggests that it served both medicinal and ceremonial functions, pointing to a complex understanding of botanical pharmacology in ancient Arabia. The study not only provides rare physical evidence of plant-based medicine from the Iron Age, but also adds to emerging research that links cultural practice with early scientific knowledge in the region.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Artisans House Boosts Jazan's Heritage Crafts
The Artisans House in Jazan Region has revitalized traditional handicrafts nearing obsolescence due to modern technological advancements, preserving the region's cultural wealth, SPA reported. This endeavor aligns with the Heritage Commission's goal of developing the Saudi artisans' skills and showcasing the aesthetic qualities and inherent authenticity of Saudi handicrafts through training. Thirty artisans are participating in a year-long program focusing on qa'aid making, taaqiyah weaving, and seashell crafts to reconnect with regional heritage. Under the guidance of specialized trainers, they learn traditional techniques and explore contemporary designs. The program aims to bring back qa'aid making, a craft once vital for creating beds or chairs in old Jazan homes. The Artisans House empowers local youth to learn traditional crafts, becoming a hub for education and training in the region's heritage crafts. The initiative supports passing down knowledge to future generations and is in line with The Year of Handicrafts 2025, aiming to preserve the craft's identity and strengthen handicrafts as a vital part of Saudi identity and cultural heritage.
Arab News
19-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Jazan's craft revival supports heritage goals
RIYADH: The Artisans House in Jazan is helping to preserve traditional handicrafts that have declined in recent years in the face of modern technology. This effort, to help contribute to the region's cultural heritage, supports the Heritage Commission's goal of developing Saudi artisans' skills while promoting the aesthetic and authentic qualities of local crafts through training, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Some 30 artisans are enrolled on a year-long program focused on qa'aid making, taqiyah weaving, and seashell crafts, reconnecting with regional traditions. Guided by specialized trainers, participants learn traditional techniques and explore modern design adaptations, the SPA added. The program aims to revive qa'aid making, once used to create beds and chairs in traditional Jazan homes. Trainers teach palm frond binding methods and encourage innovative designs suitable for today's markets. Trainees in taqiyah weaving use white thread for traditional knitted caps. Artisans also work with seashells to make bracelets, necklaces, ornaments, bags, and sculptures inspired by marine themes. The Artisans House provides local youngsters with hands-on experience in heritage crafts, serving as a center for cultural education and training. The initiative supports knowledge transfer to future generations and aligns with the Year of Handicrafts 2025, which aims to preserve and promote Saudi Arabia's craft traditions.
