The Heritage Commission has accredited the registration of 624 archeological and historical sites in the National Antiquities Register during the first quarter of 2021, increasing the number of archeological sites that have been registered since the establishment of the register to 8,176 sites across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CEO of the Heritage Commission Dr. Jasir Al-Herbish pointed out that the new archeological sites that have been registered include 38 sites in Makkah, five in Madinah, 48 in Hail, 54 in Al-Jouf, 52 in Asir, 35 in Tabuk, 4 in the Northern Borders Region, 342 in Riyadh, 25 in the Eastern Region, 18 in Qassim, and 3 in Jazan. Dr. Al-Herbish stressed that the Commission exerts great efforts in implementing this project that includes archiving and digitizing archeological sites across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before listing them on a modern digital register that serves Saudi civil heritage. The National Antiquities Register is important for its role in documenting and registering archeological sites, putting them on digital maps that facilitate their administration, protection and preservation, building a special database for registered archeological sites, saving and documenting works that are implemented in these sites, and archiving documents and photos of the cultural heritage sites in Saudi Arabia. The register also works on finding applied solutions to the business administration of the national heritage sector, providing assistance information that helps make proper decisions to preserve and maintain archeological sites, and easing access of information for researchers and specialists. — SPA
