RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) announced Sunday the discovery of the first-ever Pharaonic antiquity within the Kingdom's boundaries, dating back to the 12th century BC. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the National Museum in King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh. Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Ghabban, Vice-President of Antiquities and Museums at the SCTA, told journalists the 3,100-year-old discovery was of hieroglyphic inscriptions on a fixed rock near the ancient Taima Oasis bearing a royal signature (a dual cartouche) for Ramses III, one of the kings of Pharaonic Egypt, who ruled Egypt between 1,192 and 1,160 BC. Al-Ghabban said Saudi archeologists consider the Taima historical oasis, among the largest archeological sites in the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula, because it has remnants of ancient walls of almost 13 kilometers in length. The discovery is about 400 kilometers north of Madina and northeast of the ancient Nabatean site of Madain Saleh, and marks the first confirmed hieroglyphic inscription discovered inside the Kingdom's borders. Al-Ghabban said the cartouche of Ramses III was found four months ago. Al-Ghabban added that Saudi archeologists have been able to trace a direct trade route linking the Nile Valley and Taima. It was used during the era of Ramses III in the 12th century BC. Caravans used to get supplies of valuable goods from Taima. The Land of Madyan was famous for incense, copper, gold and silver. Al-Ghabban said recent discoveries at the site prove Taima was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age (2,000 BC). Al-Ghabban pointed out that the route linking the Nile Valley with Taima has pharaonic signatures (cartouches) for King Ramses III on both sides, especially at the water places like springs and wells in the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Ghabban said that after the Nile Valley, this ancient route passes through Al-Qulzum Port and Suez City where there is a temple for Ramses III. Then it heads to the sea to the Srabeet Al-Khadim near Abu Zenaimah Port on the Gulf of Suez, where inscriptions for Ramses III were also found. It then crosses the Sinai Peninsula passing through Abu Ghadha Valley near Nakhl Oasis, where a “dual cartouche” bearing the name of Ramses III, similar to the one in Taima, was found. The route heads to the promontory of the Gulf of Aqaba and passes through Nahl and then Tanmiah sites. At each of these sites, similar “dual cartouches” for Ramses III were found. There is evidence, in a papyrus document by Ramses III, that he sent people to fetch copper from a neighboring country. Al-Ghabban said the discovery of this route will form a turning point in studying the routes of civilizations between Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Ghabban expects other cartouches for Ramses III or other Pharaohs of Egypt to exist on the route, especially in Al-Hasmi Area that separates Taima from the promontory of the Gulf of Aqaba – a distance of 400 kilometers. The area is distinct for its splendid rock faces that are suitable for inscriptions and engravings. He said the SCTA is in the process of carrying out a meticulous archeological survey of this area. He pointed out that a number of small antiquities made in ancient Egypt were found at a number of archeological sites in the Kingdom, like the burial sites in southern Dhahran in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, and in Al-Fau, the capital of the Kingdom of Kindah in the southwestern part of the Najd Plateau. In Taima itself, most of these pieces are pottery and ceramics with a turquoise coating dating back to different periods of antiquity. Taima is mentioned in ancient texts dating back to the 8th century BC. The Babylonian King Nabonidus spent 10 years in Taima. His royal complex has only recently being excavated. Last year a fragment of a cuneiform text mentioning Nabonidus was discovered. Al-Ghabban stressed that the antiquities and museum sector is implementing the directives of Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the SCTA, to highlight the Kingdom's relationship with other civilizations of various periods. To achieve this goal, the SCTA has carried out many research programs and archeological fieldwork with specialist local and international teams using modern scientific and physical methods for analysis. This has resulted in archeological evidence and information which has enriched previous knowledge on this subject. “This discovery is one of a series of new discoveries, which would be announced after [further] study and investigation,” he said. Al-Ghabban said all these initiatives are being led by Prince Sultan Bin Salman with the state providing all the necessary facilities and resources. He said in view of its geographic location, the Arabian Peninsula has always been the land of dialogue, meeting and peaceful exchange between civilizations throughout the ages. He said the call of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for dialogue between faiths and cultures is a manifestation of this deep-rooted tradition in the Arabian Peninsula.
