Latest news with #MinistryOfCulture
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- General
- Gizmodo
Archaeologists Unearth 6-Foot-Tall Bronze Age Warrior Clutching a Spear
In a massive burial mound in the plains of western Azerbaijan, archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient, towering warrior still clutching a four-pronged spearhead in his hand. The man's skeleton measures over six feet six inches (two meters) in height and dates back to the Middle Bronze Age, approximately 3,800 years ago. Scientists believe he may have been a prominent military leader, due to the way in which he was laid to rest. The discovery offers a glimpse into the social and religious beliefs and rituals of Bronze Age societies, according to a translated statement from the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture. The burial mound was found near the Ceyranchol plain, in an area locally known as Yovsanlidere, near Azerbaijan's western border. Measuring more than 90 feet (28 meters) in diameter and over 6.6 feet (2 meters) in height, the mound contained 14 one-ton limestone slabs face-to-face just beneath its surface, along with a stone idol shaped like a bull and a circular limestone seal. Known locally as kurgans, burial mounds like this one were ceremonial structures often built by nomadic cultures, offering valuable insights into ancient societies' rituals and beliefs about the afterlife. At the center of the mound was a chamber, 6 feet (2 meters) wide and 20 feet (6 meters) long, divided into three sections. One section contained the human skeleton, another was filled with ceramic vessels, and a third was completely empty. The empty space may symbolize the 'resting place' for the deceased's spirit, according to the statement. The four-pronged bronze spearhead is an especially rare find, not just in Azerbaijan but throughout the broader South Caucasus region. Alongside the spear, researchers uncovered a variety of other valuable items, including bronze ankle adornments, obsidian tools, paste beads, and inlaid ceramic pottery, suggesting the individual held significant prestige. Inside the ceramic vessels, they found the bones of cooked animals, believed to be provisions for the afterlife. For the past five years, more than 2,000 academics and volunteers, both local and international, have conducted research on the Keshikchidagh reserve, an archaeological hotspot. Research on the Keshikchidagh site is ongoing, and plans for laboratory analyses—including carbon dating and isotope testing—are underway for the newly discovered burial mound, the researchers said in the statement.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Digital transformation hackathon launched to deliver innovative solutions, empower youth
Muscat — The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has launched the "Barmajan" Digital Transformation Hackathon, with the participation of 105 individuals representing 28 teams of developers, programmers, UX/UI designers, and business analysts. The event aims to deliver innovative and implementable digital solutions for the ministry's sectors. Through this hackathon, which will run for eight full weeks at the National Museum, the ministry seeks to convey several key messages—most notably, that youth are capable of developing digital solutions for institutions while empowering them to harness their creativity in the field of digital transformation. The hackathon also aims to strengthen community engagement by involving them in creating solutions that support government institutions and drive digital transformation. Participants will face numerous technical challenges and training sessions designed to guide them in achieving results and developing suitable solutions that will serve both government and private institutions.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Museum preserves centuries of Tarout Island's cultural heritage
* All photos by SPA Tarout Island, renowned for its deep-rooted civilization and rich cultural heritage, is home to numerous historical treasures. Prominently located in the center of the island beside the ancient Tarout Castle, Al-Dirah Asalah Museum stands as a vibrant testament to the region's past. The museum boasts a diverse collection of more than 7,000 artifacts registered with the Ministry of Culture. Ranging in age from 80 to 250 years, these artifacts collectively narrate the story of a significant historical era in Qatif Governorate. Visitors to the museum can explore dedicated pavilions showcasing traditional crafts, including blacksmithing and brasswork. Here, an array of tools and objects such as coffee pots, ablution and washing jugs, hand-engraved pots and plates, knives, sickles, and coffee roasters are displayed, with some items dating back over 80 years. An electronics pavilion offers a nostalgic journey through time, featuring a variety of watches including alarm clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches, with famous examples from Europe and the United States. Old cameras, Polaroid cameras, and vintage radios are also on display. A pottery and manuscripts pavilion provides insights into the traditions of handmade pottery, alongside ancient manuscripts that illuminate aspects of the region's cultural and educational history.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's ministries of culture and education have launched an Arts and Culture Academy, the first government-run school of its kind in the Kingdom. The initiative aims to identify and develop talented young people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. In its inaugural year, the academy will operate in Riyadh and Jeddah, admitting students in the fourth grade of primary school and first grade of intermediate school. The academy combines accredited academic curricula with specialized cultural programs in a stimulating and enriching learning environment, the SPA added. Initially, it will target students with talent in drawing, acting, music and singing. The plan is to expand to all educational levels and regions of the Kingdom. Students will follow the standard Ministry of Education curriculum alongside intensive cultural programs in a balanced daily schedule. The school day is divided into two sessions: morning for academic work and afternoon for cultural activities, according to the SPA. The academy will open in the 2025/2026 academic year at Al-Nakheel district in Riyadh for boys, and Al-Sheraa district in Jeddah for girls. Admission has three stages: online registration, performance evaluation and interview, and admission notification. Students are admitted based on seat availability. Students can apply at:
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Culture, Education Ministries Launch 'Arts and Culture Academy'
The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, announced the launch of the "Arts and Culture Academy," which is the first government-run school of its kind in the Kingdom. The initiative aims to identify, support, and develop cultural talents among students in general education. In its inaugural year, the academy will begin operating in Riyadh and Jeddah, admitting students in the fourth grade of primary school and the first grade of intermediate school. The national educational academy combines accredited academic curricula with specialized cultural programs, offering a stimulating and enriching learning environment. In its initial phase, it targets fourth-grade primary and first-grade intermediate students who demonstrate talent in cultural and artistic fields such as drawing, theater and acting, music performance, and singing. The academy is set to expand in the future to include all educational levels and reach additional regions across the Kingdom. The academy offers the standard curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education alongside intensive cultural programs, within a comprehensive daily schedule that balances academic and creative cultural education. The school day will be divided into two sessions: the morning for academic subjects and the afternoon for the cultural program. The academy will launch in the upcoming academic year 2025/2026 at two locations: Al-Nakheel district in Riyadh for boys, and Al-Sheraa district in Jeddah for girls. The admission process consists of three stages: online registration, a performance evaluation and personal interview, and finally, notification of the admission result. Admission is conditional upon passing all evaluation stages and is subject to seat availability.
