Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of Napoli, Italy, and the French National Center for Scientific Research. The agreement seeks to extend cooperation between the two sides in excavation work in Dawmat Al-Jandal for another five years. The agreement was signed in the presence of SCTA President Prince Sultan Bin Salman, French Ambassador to the Kingdom Bertrand Besancenot and Italian Ambassador Mario Boffo. Prince Sultan said the SCTA is working on a comprehensive project to identify historic and heritage sites in the Kingdom. There are 28 teams of Saudi and international scientists who are working in excavation sites and the SCTA is keen in informing citizens of their findings. He said the SCTA is currently building five regional museums and refurbishing six others to embrace these historic findings. In addition, the SCTA is developing 128 historical sites that will be open to visitors, he added. He said the SCTA has cooperated with the ministries of education, culture and higher education to increase awareness about the nation's heritage and history.
