Snow blankets northern Saudi region of Al-Jouf    Syrian Air to resume operation between Damascus and Jeddah on Nov. 7 after a hiatus of 8 years    21,370 illegal residents arrested in a week    Bronze Age town discovered in Khaybar Oasis    New mechanism for reviewing taxi fares via applications    Harris and Trump in dead heat as Election Day nears    Spain flooding one of many global extreme weather disasters: UN weather agency    EU braces for potential shifts in transatlantic relations ahead of US presidential election    Israeli army nearing end of ground offensive in southern Lebanon, reports indicate    Al Hilal sets record for longest unbeaten streak across all domestic competitions    Al Nassr and Al Hilal share points in intense Riyadh Derby draw    Riyadh's Sports Boulevard receives Platinum ActiveScore certifications    ImpaQ: Riyadh to host first Impact Makers Forum in December    Saudi Arabia ranks 12th globally in international visitor spending in 2023    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    Saleh Al Shehri strike seals Al Ittihad's Sea Derby win over Al Ahli    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    Derby Week makes its debut in the Roshn Saudi League    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    Indonesia Days event celebrates cultural diversity at Al Suwaidi Park    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Saudi, international team excavates secrets of Al-Ula civilizations
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 14 - 05 - 2020

RIYADH — A leading multinational archaeological mission embarked on a giant undertaking of a five-year long excavation of the fascinating historical and archeological secrets that lie hidden in Al-Ula, the heritage site of the ancient Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms.
The mission is the fruit of the partnership between the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, King Saud University, the French Agency for Al-Ula Development and the French National Center for Scientific Research (FNCSR).
Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Suhaibani, an official of the museums and exhibitions team at the Royal Commission for Al-Ula and co-supervisor of the project, and Jerome Rohmer of FNCSR said that pinpointing the real history and cause of the downfall of the Dadan Kingdom is one of the main areas that the team wanted to ascertain during the mission.
"We do know that Dadan Kingdom came to an end by the end of the sixth century BC without any strong evidence to support this, and we can only guess the reasons behind the flight of this civilization from the region.
"We aspire to learn more about the relationship between Dadanians and the Lihyans, another Arab kingdom from the region, and their relationship with the Nabataeans who arrived from the north later."
The Dadanian and Lihyan cultures preceded the Nabataean civilization and the Roman presence in the Arabian Peninsula, confirming the depth of the region's history.
The excavations that are expected to continue for five years until 2024 to register the Kingdom's history that date back to more 2700 years ago, in addition to highlighting its pivotal role in the domestic routes of ancient trade.
Al-Ula region witnessed the development of many other ancient civilizations as well.
The excavations will continue for two months annually, followed by analysis and study sessions on the new discoveries.
Based on the results of the excavation campaign launched by King Saud University since 2004, the new campaigns will focus on four main areas:
• To know the true function and dates of work of the Islamic castle near the Kingdom of Dadan, which was rebuilt by the Dadanians when they settled down in the region;
• To get a correct chronology and knowledge of stratigraphy of the Dadan temple that was unearthed;
• Further excavation in a large building recently discovered south of the Dadan temple to determine the purpose and date of its construction;
• Wider excavation campaigns at Dadan cemeteries to help archaeologists gain a better understanding of Dadan funerary practices.
Al-Ula, located northwest of Saudi Arabia, was a vital crossroads along the famous incense-trading routes running from southern Arabia north into Egypt and beyond.
With oases dotting the area, it offered a much-needed respite for weary travelers, becoming a popular place to rest, commune and recharge.
Al-Ula was also capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, which controlled the caravan trade.
The site of Hegra, modern Madain Salih, was the principal southern city of the Nabataean kingdom, famed for its spectacular monumental tombs.
Layer upon layer of human history and a wealth of natural wonders are waiting to be explored from dramatic rock formations and sand-swept dunes to archaeological ruins that trace the lives of the ancient cultures.


Clic here to read the story from its source.