The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has recovered 88 relics from a British citizen who took them from different places in Yanbu in the Madina region. The relics date back to the Ancient Stone Age (Mousteir Civilization) 40,000-100,000 years ago. The relics are in the form of various stone tools such as axes, scrapers and shellfish. The SCTA is exerting great efforts to recover all relics and artifacts smuggled out of Saudi Arabia by expatriates who previously worked in the Kingdom. Some relics were smuggled out of the country 50 years ago. The SCTA is preparing for an exhibition of recovered national antiquities as part of the National Festival of Heritage and Culture “Al-Janadriyah” next year. Meanwhile, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, signed an agreement with Exxon Mobil Saudi Arabia Inc. for the company's sponsorship of a Saudi antiquities exhibition to be held in several US cities during 2012-13. Prince Sultan also had a meeting with Dr. Julian Raby, President of the US Smithsonian Institution and Museum. They discussed preparations for holding “Saudi Arabia's Archaeological Masterpieces Through The Ages” at the museum in Washington next year, as well as ways to develop cooperation between the two organizations. Prince Sultan said that he hoped the exhibition would attract a large number of people since several American museums had indicated their interest in hosting it. The exhibition, which captivated large numbers of visitors in Europe last year, displays the Kingdom's great antiquities and artifacts, reflecting the importance of this land in human history, Prince Sultan pointed out.
