20 Rock Art Sites Discovered in Soudah Peaks

The Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, announced the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites within the Soudah Peaks area in Saudi Arabia.

Spanning more than 636.5 square kilometres across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa, the newly identified sites add to documented cultural landmarks in the southwest of the Kingdom. The engravings and inscriptions are estimated to date between 4,000 and 5,000 years, and include Thamudic inscriptions alongside depictions of ibex, hyenas, and ostriches, as well as scenes showing hunters, dancers, palm trees, and weapons.

The survey is part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development. Work was carried out in four scientific phases beginning with data collection and site analysis and concluding with the documentation and classification of high-value archaeological sites. The findings provide a record of artistic and symbolic expression linked to environmental conditions and social practices among communities that once inhabited the area.

According to the Heritage Commission, the documentation will support future preservation-oriented efforts aligned with ongoing cooperation between the Commission and Soudah Development. The Commission stated that the discoveries contribute to a broader understanding of cultural heritage in the Asir region, with the sites forming part of a wider archaeological landscape in and around the Soudah Peaks project area.