The Saudi Heritage Commission and Soudah Development (a company of the Public Investment Fund) announced the discovery of 20 new ancient rock sites featuring engravings from 4.000 - 5.000 years ago depicting wildlife (ibex, hyenas, ostriches), hunters, dancers, palm trees, weapons, Thamudic inscriptions and symbols of early life in the mountainous Asir region, officially the Aseer province in southern Saudi Arabia immediately north of Yemen, a land consisting of 100.000 square kilometres of high mountains, Red Sea coastal plains, and the upper valleys of the wadis Bishah and Tathlī.
The area of these findings covers more than 636.5 square kilometres between Soudah, a mountainous area at 3.015 metres above sea level that includes Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, Jabal Soudah and known for its dense juniper tree covered mountains, highlighted by the presence of Rijal Almaa, a village of more than 900 years old about 50 kilometres west of Abha, famous for its interconnected houses and in tentative UNESCO world heritage list.
The discoveries considered some of the oldest cultural vestiges in the region reflect the social life and natural environment of ancient communities that inhabited the area, revealing insights into cultures active several centuries ago, settlements, and adaption in a changing environment, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 for heritage - led tourism and preservation.
The study was carried out within the framework of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development following four scientific phases, from data collection to the documentation, study and classification of the most valuable archaeological sites, as a basis for future conservation and development work.
Key Features of the Discoveries:
• Diverse Imagery: Depictions include ibex, hynas, ostriches, hunters, dancers, palm trees, and traditional weapons.
• Ancient Scripts: Thamudic inscriptions provide written records alongside carvings.
• Dating: The art is estimated to be 4.000 to 5.000 years old, potentially linked to greener periods in the Arabian Peninsula.
• Cultural Insights: The art reveals daily life, rituals, belief systems, and the interaction of ancient communities with the environment.
Significance:
• Archaeological Importance: Fills gaps in understanding human history in the heart of Arabia, showing early settlements when environments improved.
• Tourism and Preservation: Aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals, integrating cultural heritage with high – end tourism in the Soudah Peaks area.
• Methodology: The findings resulted from a multi - phase survey involving data collection, site analysis, documentation, and classification by the Heritage Commission.
These findings emphasize Saudi Arabia’s rich archaeological past and the authorities underlined their commitment to protect and promote the cultural and natural heritage of the area, with the aim of creating an integrated cultural and tourism experience and transforming the Asir region into a luxury mountain destination anchored in Saudi’s historical heritage.
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