202 New Archaeological Sites Added to Saudi Arabia’s Heritage List

The Heritage Commission has announced the addition of 202 new archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total to 9,119.

The thorough documentation process for each site includes initial discovery, detailed inspections by specialists, and the drafting of necessary scientific and technical reports. The newly documented sites are spread across various regions, with significant discoveries in Riyadh (102 sites), Asir (20 sites), and Hail (80 sites). These sites feature a variety of stone structures, including wells, pillars and ancient building foundations.

Notably, the discoveries also include graves and cemeteries from the early Islamic period and earlier, along with stone tools such as weapons, axes and hunting implements. Several sites also contain Thamudic inscriptions and rock art depicting animals like deer, wolves, and tigers. The Heritage Commission has called on citizens to report any archaeological findings, emphasizing the vital role of community involvement in preserving Saudi Arabia's historical legacy.