Rock inscriptions and drawings scattered in a number of archeological sites in Najran region speak of its civilization and history spanning thousands of years during which the ancient people recorded their history, culture and life. The rock drawings at Abar Hima (Hima wells) appeared as man first attempted to write alphabetically. People in the southern Arabian Peninsula developed the alphabetical writing, known as the southern Al-Musnad script, at the beginning of the first millennium B.C. Trade led to the spread of this script and the area extending from Abar Hima became an arena for trade caravans. Traders on the ancient roads recorded their experiences, drawings and names as well as some of their interests, mostly in Sabai script and Thamudic script, along routes near sources of water, caves and foothills. Rock inscriptions are abundant in archeological sites in Najran region. These inscriptions contain ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions in Al-Qabil village and Kufic writings on Mount Al-Hamra, located near the ancient city of Al-Ukhdood (The Trench), and other Kufic inscriptions on Mount Al-Musammah. There are early Islamic inscriptions and writings at Al-Dharwa, Al-Musammah and Najd Sahi sites and on Mount Al-Kaukab, which also has rock drawings dating back to different ages. These inscriptions contain drawings of snakes, camels, horses, spears, antelopes, ostriches and ancient warriors. The rock writings, inscriptions and drawings are considered to be a museum of history that reflects the culture of past ages and the civilization and history since ancient times, Saleh Aal Mreih, Executive Director of the Tourism and Antiquities Administration in Najran region, said. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities in Najran region is working strenuously to protect the historic treasures there and in its governorates, he added. The most prominent rock writings are in Thamudic and Al-Musnad scripts in addition to the inscriptions and various drawings that depict man's life during those ages, he said. During its archeological survey of Najran region, the SCTA registered 41 inscriptions at Abar Hima site and drawings sprinkled here and there on the rocks, along with a few lines of Arabic writings and numerous graves dating back to the Bronze Age some 5,000 years ago.
