Al-Hijr
Antiquities Exhibition
An Archeological
Site from the
General Information:
The
number of Member States that participate in the World, Cultural, and Natural
Heritage Preservation Agreement was 177 until 28 November 2003. The number of
the registered cultural and natural heritage remarks around the world was 812
sites until July 2005, including 628 cultural heritage sites, 160 natural
heritage sites, and 24 cultural and natural corporate sites.
The
The
exhibition was organized by the SCT in addition to other bodies such as: the
Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, the Saudi Embassy at
This
exhibition provides a definition in Arabic, English, and French languages about
Mada'in Saleh site, occupying an area of 1621 hectares. It also provides explanations
with pictures about the different parts of this site.
Recently,
the SCT announced a public bidding to restore and qualify antiquities buildings
in Al-Hijr site. Also, the SCT qualify the station buildings of Al-Hijaz
railway to organize the visitor movement, improve the visit road, set up direction
and information signs for the visitors.
Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh):
Al-Hijr Site (Madain Saleh) is located to
the northwest of
Evidence of human settlements were found
in Madain Saleh due to its basic potentials of settlement, the availability of
water resources and fertile lands, and its strategic location on the roads
leading to the large civilized centers
in the Far East.
Prehistoric antiquities were discovered
on top of some mountains in the surrounding area, in addition to prehistoric
inscriptions spread all over the mountains.
Al-Hijr site is mentioned in the Holy
Quran, the verses verify the fact that Al-Hijr was inhabited by Thamud - 3000 B.C.
The Nabataeans, old Arab tribes, settled in
Al-Hijr in the period 1000-2000 B.C. The Nabataeans had left behind tremendous
archeological elements: the necropolis, the religious area, the residential
area, and the water establishments.
Al-Hijr was a main station on the Sham
Hajj route, where a fort and a large water basin were built to serve the
pilgrims. The Hijaz Railway was established at the beginning of
the 20th century connecting
This area is famous for its rock formations of the pink sand mountains.
This site has many cemeteries and inscriptions
that varied between South Arabian, Lihyanite, Thamudic, Nabataean,
Latin, and Islamic inscriptions. The Nabataean inscriptions are spread all over mountains and facades. The inscriptions describe burial rules set by the tomb
owners or their relatives or descendants, and the punishment imposed on those
who violate these rules.
Near the well of Bir Al-Naqa, there is an Islamic
castle which undergoes restoration works.
The castle was built to serve the pilgrims.
The Hijaz Railway is being restored. It is composed of 16 buildings, some were residential buildings for the station’s personnel and travelers, and some were mechanic workshops.
Announcement of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Commission
for Tourism
Dr.
Ali Al-Ghabban, the deputy Secretary-General for the antiquities and museums,
highlighted the archeological and historic importance of the exhibition which
will give the visitors the opportunity to recognize one of the most prominent
archeological sites in the Kingdom. He stated that this exhibition has 42
paintings of the most important antiquities and explanatory texts about the
ancient civilizations in the Kingdom and the Al-Hijr site history with its
environmental diversity and highlighting its parts.
Dr.
Al-Ghabban also mentioned that the Kingdom presented an initial list of three
cultural heritage sites to be registered in the World Heritage List. This
initial list was accepted by the World Heritage Committee. Consequently, a
nomination file of the first site – Al-Hijr site - was presented, and the
procedures of its registration are being completed. After that, the other sites
will be presented.
Attended by the
Secretary-General of UNESCO
Prince Sultan bin
Salman Opens the Kingdom Antiquities Exhibition at UNESCO Location
On
last Thursday, HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, the Secretary-General of the
Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), the
HRH
Prince Sultan bin Salman said that organizing such exhibition of the Kingdom's
antiquities, which are nominated to be registered in the World Heritage List,
aims at familiarizing the people with these sites and preserving the cultural
heritage in general. It also aims at manifest the national antiquities at the
world level. The SCT is supporting the registration of Maddin Saleh site in the
World Heritage List. If the registration is achieved, the site will be
protected according to internationally-known regulations so as to enable
everyone to recognize an essential part of the Kingdom civilization.
During
the opening celebration, Prince Sultan stressed the importance of registering
the cultural and natural heritage sites in the World Heritage List.
Consequently, the Kingdom's Heritage will be recognized as a humanitarian
inheritance, the relations will be established with persons and institutions
that are interested in heritage at the international level, and the tourism and
scientific attraction of the sites will increase. HRH Prince Sultan pointed out
that registering the national remarks in the World Heritage List is a means to
develop tourism and activate its role in the economic growth. He mentioned that
tourism is the best means to use these sites in a sustainable manner through
organizing tourism activities. Therefore, there will be a balance between the
governorate' needs and employment requirements, so the sites will be visited by
the tourists from everywhere.
The
Secretary-General of the SCT added that the World Heritage Protection
Agreement, that was issued by the UNESCO in 1972 and to which the Kingdom
joined in 1977, was set out for the preservation of heritage sites with great
importance, including the heritage familiarization and determining the Member
States' responsibilities to identify the natural and cultural heritage.