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Saudi Heritage Commission Announces New Discovery in Umm Jirsan Cave

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave in Madinah Region. SPA
The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave in Madinah Region. SPA
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Saudi Heritage Commission Announces New Discovery in Umm Jirsan Cave

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave in Madinah Region. SPA
The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave in Madinah Region. SPA

The Saudi Heritage Commission has announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave "Harrat Khaybar", located in Madinah Region.

The research was conducted by the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture with the participation of some archaeologists from the commission and in collaboration with King Saud University, the Max Planck Institute, and the Saudi Geological Survey through the "Green Arabian Peninsula project," which focuses on multidisciplinary field research, the Saudi Heritage Commission said in a statement.

According to the statement, the study was published in the journal "PLOS ONE," the first comprehensive study of archaeological research in caves in the Kingdom.

The study involved archaeological surveys and excavations in Umm Jirsan cave, revealing ancient evidence of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic period, around 10,000-7,000 years ago, encompassing the Copper Age and Bronze Age periods.

The cave was shown to have been utilized by pastoral groups, using Radiocarbon c14 that supported the discovery of animal remains such as bones dated back to 4100BC, as well as human skulls dated back to 6000BC, and other artifacts including wood, cloth fragments, and stone tools. In addition to rock art facades depicted scenes of grazing animals and hunting activities.
The discoveries provided evidence of human occupation within the cave, which remarkably preserved thousands of animal bones, including those of striped hyenas, camels, horses, deer, caribou, goats, cows, and wild and domestic donkeys, in good condition despite the passage of time. Furthermore, an analysis of human skeletal remains using radioactive isotopes indicated a dietary shift over time, with ancient human groups primarily relying on a meat-based diet and gradually incorporating plants, suggesting the emergence of agriculture.
The study also highlighted the feeding habits of animals such as cows and sheep, which primarily consumed wild grasses and shrubs, and the region exhibited significant animal diversity throughout different historical periods.
The scientific study underscored the importance of caves utilized by ancient human groups and the ancient volcanic magma paths within Saudi Arabia.

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Culture

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Houses of Culture’ Redefine Libraries, Enrich Local Communities

Libraries Commission CEO Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asim (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Libraries Commission CEO Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asim (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s ‘Houses of Culture’ Redefine Libraries, Enrich Local Communities

Libraries Commission CEO Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asim (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Libraries Commission CEO Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asim (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Culture Ministry’s Libraries Commission opened another “House of Culture” in one of Asir region’s provinces on Sunday, the second to open this month after one in the Eastern Region.

It’s part of a plan to revamp public libraries into vibrant cultural hubs in the area.

With Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene evolving since the launch of its National Culture Strategy, institutions are keen on embedding culture as a lifestyle.

They're focusing on enhancing the Kingdom’s library sector, with the first two cultural houses opening out of 153 planned across Saudi Arabia. These spaces aim to go beyond book storage, becoming platforms to uplift local communities’ quality of life.

In mid-June 2020, the Culture Ministry launched an initiative to upgrade public libraries nationwide.

The aim is to turn them into modern cultural hubs that cater to all segments of society, offering knowledge, participation, and interaction opportunities.

This move comes after a field study by the ministry on the status of libraries in Saudi Arabia.

Based on the findings, a development plan stretching until 2030 was crafted. The plan aims to establish 153 public libraries across all regions, all following the concept of “House of Culture,” blending library functions with cultural engagement.

On his part, Libraries Commission CEO Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asim highlighted the need for a fresh approach to libraries.

He emphasized the importance of the new House of Culture concept, which aims to create interactive platforms serving diverse community needs, from education to entertainment and entrepreneurship.

Al-Asim underscored the significance of these cultural houses for Saudi Arabia’s social and cultural sectors, aligning with the goals of “Vision 2030.”

He expressed optimism that these initiatives will bring tangible benefits to society, encouraging investment in hobbies and interests, and fostering a vibrant cultural and social scene.

The cultural houses have diverse sections, including learning areas, a kids’ theater, a main stage, and a library with reading spaces.

Each house also offers innovation and tech spaces, along with essential facilities like prayer rooms, meeting areas, printing and computer services, a café, and a store.

These houses are part of the “Quality of Life” program, a key aspect of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 national transformation plan.

They aim to upgrade cultural infrastructure, establish cultural hubs, and improve public libraries to boost Saudi engagement in arts and culture as part of the Kingdom’s long-term vision.

Culture

Demise of Rangelands 'Severely Underestimated', Report Says

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Demise of Rangelands 'Severely Underestimated', Report Says

From camel drivers in the Sahara to nomads on the Mongolian steppe, traditional herders the world over rely on earth's wildest open spaces to support an ancient way of life.
But the expansive plains, tundra and savanna they inhabit are in much greater peril than previously thought, researchers said Tuesday in a major reassessment of the health of these crucial environments.
As much as half of all rangelands -- encompassing some of nature's most striking vistas from the Arctic to the tropics, deserts and mountains -- are believed to be degraded, the report said.
Mostly natural grasslands used by livestock and wild animals to graze, they also include scrubland, mountain plateaus, deserts and wetlands.
Climate change, urban expansion, population growth and the conversion of land for farming was fueling their destruction, said the report by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Rangelands were grossly undervalued and their "silent demise" had passed mostly unnoticed despite what was at stake, said UNCCD executive secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.
"We as humanity have to pay attention to this," he told AFP.
The "persistent loss and deterioration" of rangelands would be felt beyond the pastoralist communities who have adapted to life in these environments over centuries, the report said.
Climate ally
Healthy rangelands are an asset in the fight against global warming, locking away carbon in soil and spurring the growth of vegetation that pulls planet-heating CO2 from the atmosphere.
Traditional farming customs -- such as rotating grazing areas and conserving scarce resources in difficult times -- improved soil health and its capacity to store carbon, the report's lead author Pedro Maria Herrera Calvo told AFP.
Poor policy, neglect and large-scale rangeland mismanagement had eroded soils, releasing carbon rather than storing it, and stripped the earth of the nutrients needed to support plant and animal life.
Rangelands are biodiversity hotspots, providing habitats for Africa's most iconic wildlife, and pasture for one billion grazing animals, the report said.
They account for one-sixth of the world's food production, it added, and underpin many national economies.
They are also a cultural bedrock for half a billion pastoralist people in more than 100 countries, mostly poor and marginalized communities such as the Bedouin, Fulani and Saami.
A quarter of the world's languages are spoken among pastoral groups who call these places home.
"It is part of our heritage," said Thiaw. "Losing it would mean not only losing ecosystems and losing the economy, but losing our own culture."
'Voiceless and powerless'
Yet they are barely studied, said Calvo. Rosier outlooks did not reflect reality, and this reassessment by dozens of experts was long overdue, he added.
"We feel that the actual data estimating rangelands degradation around 25 percent is severely underestimated," he said. "We think that almost 35 -– even 50 percent –- of rangelands are already degraded."
Rangelands cover 80 million square kilometers -- more than half the land surface of earth. Protecting them would require policy that better supports the pastoralists who understand them best, the report said.
Instead of having a seat at the table however, nomadic communities were "voiceless and powerless", the report said.
Ignoring their wisdom in sustainably managing these complex environments -- or, worse still, forcing them off the land -- would only condemn these wild places and their custodians to an even bleaker future, Thiaw argued.
"It is important for this to be taken much more seriously."

Culture

ALECSO General Conference Praises Saudi Arabia's 'Gifted Arabs' Initiative 

The Gifted Arabs initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with ALECSO. (SPA)
The Gifted Arabs initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with ALECSO. (SPA)
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ALECSO General Conference Praises Saudi Arabia's 'Gifted Arabs' Initiative 

The Gifted Arabs initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with ALECSO. (SPA)
The Gifted Arabs initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with ALECSO. (SPA)

The Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) praised on Monday the Gifted Arabs Initiative that has played a significant role in supporting talented individuals across all Arab countries.

The initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with ALECSO, which held a General Conference in Jeddah on Monday.

The event was attended by Minister of Education and Vice Chairman of the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, as well as ministers and heads of national committees for education and science from 22 Arab countries.

The initiative has been instrumental in creating an encouraging environment for talent and creativity in the Arab world for the third consecutive year.

It reflects the Kingdom's commitment to sharing its pioneering experience in discovering and nurturing talented students with the Arab world and supporting Arab youth in utilizing their energies and capabilities.

This is achieved through the development of a specialized assessment to identify talented and creative individuals in the Arab world, taking into account the diverse Arab environment and culture.

The assessment is based on a scientific methodology that incorporates the best global educational practices.

Culture

Louvre Abu Dhabi, Oman's National Museum Continue Cultural Exchange

This agreement continues the tradition of cultural exchange between the two museums. WAM
This agreement continues the tradition of cultural exchange between the two museums. WAM
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Louvre Abu Dhabi, Oman's National Museum Continue Cultural Exchange

This agreement continues the tradition of cultural exchange between the two museums. WAM
This agreement continues the tradition of cultural exchange between the two museums. WAM

Louvre Abu Dhabi and the National Museum of Sultanate of Oman (NM) have signed a new loan agreement, through which two distinguished pieces from Louvre Abu Dhabi's collection will be exhibited at the museum for one year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

This agreement continues the tradition of cultural exchange between the two museums, offering visitors an insightful exploration of Islamic art and modern abstraction, WAM said.

The National Museum will feature the following artworks from the Louvre Abu Dhabi: a "Bowl with a Two-color Inscription" and "Homage to the Square,” it added.

Culture

Ministry of Culture, ALECSO Launch Arabic Observatory of Translation

Ministry of Culture, ALECSO Launch Arabic Observatory of Translation
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Ministry of Culture, ALECSO Launch Arabic Observatory of Translation

Ministry of Culture, ALECSO Launch Arabic Observatory of Translation

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission at the Ministry of Culture has joined forces with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to launch a groundbreaking initiative: the Arabic Observatory of Translation.
The project is greatly important to the efforts to support and monitor translations from and into Arabic, spoken by over 350 million people worldwide, SPA reported.
Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission CEO Mohammed Hasan Alwan highlighted the Kingdom's leading role in fostering collaborative Arab cultural endeavors. The observatory, he said, is designed to build bridges of communication and enrich cultural content across the Arab world.
The observatory offers a dedicated digital platform specifically designed to cater to the needs of the Arab translators. The platform will provide a vast and valuable resource, offering a comprehensive database of translated works, said Alwan.
Aspiring scholars and researchers will also benefit from the research grants dedicated to the field of translation.
The platform will establish important networks for translators and publishers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across the Arab world.
The observatory is ALECSO's first regional body in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in its 54-year history.
Its key projects entail research grants, monitoring and documenting translated books, and providing valuable sources for publishing houses and translators.
The establishment of the Arabic Observatory of Translation is testimony to the commitment to foster a more vibrant and interconnected Arab world. Through the power of translation, the observatory has the potential to break down barriers, promote cultural exchanges, and enable the sharing of knowledge across the region.

Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation in Cultural and Architectural Design

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
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Saudi Arabia, UK Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation in Cultural and Architectural Design

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission has said that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom.

The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the King Abdullah Financial District during the "Great Futures" Initiative conference. The Architecture and Design Commission was represented by the CEO, Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, while the Royal College of Art in the UK was represented by the College President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christoph Lindner.

The memorandum aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the cultural and architectural design fields and to implement best practices through various areas of collaboration. These include offering short courses and workshops in architecture and design, implementing specialized educational programs, and supporting entrepreneurship programs in the sector.

Solaiman emphasized that this step reflects the commission's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and knowledge exchange in various fields of architecture and design, contributing to the development and growth of this sector to achieve the highest standards of excellence.

She also noted that this memorandum is part of the commission's strategic plans, highlighting the importance of building international strategic partnerships to foster innovation and development in the architecture and design sectors overseen by the commission. The MoU aligns with the commission's approach to building international strategic partnerships with leading global organizations to attract and apply best practices and international expertise.

This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries across various sectors. It encourages and supports cultural and educational exchange between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

Culture

Saudi Arabia Overwhelmingly Leads ALECSO Executive Council Until 2026

Saudi representative Hani Al-Moqbil was re-elected as the Chairman of the Executive Council of ALECSO from 2024 to 2026 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi representative Hani Al-Moqbil was re-elected as the Chairman of the Executive Council of ALECSO from 2024 to 2026 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Overwhelmingly Leads ALECSO Executive Council Until 2026

Saudi representative Hani Al-Moqbil was re-elected as the Chairman of the Executive Council of ALECSO from 2024 to 2026 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi representative Hani Al-Moqbil was re-elected as the Chairman of the Executive Council of ALECSO from 2024 to 2026 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia won Saturday the chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) for the third time in a row.

The Kingdom’s representative, Hani Al-Moqbil, was elected president for the 2024-2026 term with an overwhelming majority, securing 18 votes compared to two votes for Morocco.

One member-state abstained from voting. Qatar was elected as the vice president, while Jordan will serve as the rapporteur.

This decision followed a council meeting held after the conclusion of the 27th General Conference of ALECSO, which wrapped up in Jeddah on Friday.

Members praised the positive outcomes and collaborative efforts achieved during Saudi Arabia's previous two presidencies since July 2021.

Arab states on the council highlighted the importance of continuing ALECSO’s forward-looking vision. They praised recent achievements as a major milestone, boosting the organization's role in education, culture, and science across the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia was commended for creating a roadmap that enabled effective collaboration within ALECSO. This teamwork has turned plans into reality, promoting collective efforts, member synergy, and unified execution of initiatives.

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan shared on “X” that during Saudi Arabia’s leadership of the ALECSO Executive Council in under three years, they initiated over 10 projects and partnerships. He expressed pride in the Kingdom’s re-election for a third consecutive term.

Established in 1970 and based in Tunis, ALECSO is one of the Cairo-based Arab bloc's organizations that seeks to develop Arab culture, education and science at both national and regional levels.

Culture

Hoor Al Qasimi Appointed Artistic Director of 25th Biennale of Sydney

Hoor Al Qasimi. Photo by Daniel Boud
Hoor Al Qasimi. Photo by Daniel Boud
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Hoor Al Qasimi Appointed Artistic Director of 25th Biennale of Sydney

Hoor Al Qasimi. Photo by Daniel Boud
Hoor Al Qasimi. Photo by Daniel Boud

Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi has been appointed as the Artistic Director of the Biennale of Sydney, scheduled to take place from March 7 to June 8, 2026, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Al Qasimi will collaborate with local communities, artists and academics, whilst drawing on her own international network, to develop and realize the concept for the 25th edition of the Biennale, WAM said.
As a curator, Al Qasimi’s focuses on the histories of each place she works in, creating multidisciplinary programming with a collaborative approach and emphasis on supporting experimentation and innovation in the arts. For more than 20 years, she has worked extensively with various mediums including film, music, performance, publications, to bring together all forms of art in conversation.

“Sydney has a multicultural community at its core, with people from different cultures from across the world choosing and calling this vibrant city as their home,” said Al Qasimi. “I’m interested in exploring the multifaceted cultures and perspectives within this city, working with local artists and communities as well as bringing new voices to the Biennale. It is an honor and privilege to be nominated and then selected to be Artistic Director of the 25th Biennale of Sydney, which I have been visiting for over a decade now.”

“I have seen the developments over the years, including the amplification of Indigenous voices both local and global, which has made it an essential platform for rewriting art history,” she added.

Al Qasimi is the President and Director Sharjah Art Foundation, an organization she founded in 2009 as a catalyst and advocate for the arts around the world. She has been the Director of Sharjah Biennial since 2002, an internationally recognized platform for contemporary artists, curators and cultural producers, and curated Sharjah Biennial 15 in 2023.

She was appointed as the President of the International Biennial Association (IBA) in 2017 and serves as the President of The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, Sharjah and President and Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial.

Al Qasimi was appointed as the Artistic Director of the sixth Aichi Triennale (2025) last July, becoming the first person to be chosen for the role from outside of Japan. She has also co-curated exhibitions at leading organizations around the world, including the Serpentine Gallery in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Culture

Yemeni Minister Praises Saudi Support in Boosting Efforts to Preserve Heritage

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemeni Minister Praises Saudi Support in Boosting Efforts to Preserve Heritage

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani has lauded Saudi Arabia for its support to Yemen’s government to protect local heritage and antiquities, and increase institutional potentials to preserve cultural property.

That support is represented by the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY).

The Yemeni minister's remarks came in a statement published by the official Yemeni news agency on Saturday.

He called for holding an international conference to preserve and protect Yemeni antiquities, and to mobilize the necessary financial and technical resources to help protect and maintain them.

He also called for agreements to protect Yemeni antiquities from illicit trafficking and drying up an important resource of terrorist financing globally.

Culture

Mali's Historic City of Djenné Mourns Lack of Visitors

FILE- The world's largest mud-brick building, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, awaits its annual replastering, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Moustapha Diallo, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE- The world's largest mud-brick building, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, awaits its annual replastering, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Moustapha Diallo, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Mali's Historic City of Djenné Mourns Lack of Visitors

FILE- The world's largest mud-brick building, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, awaits its annual replastering, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Moustapha Diallo, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE- The world's largest mud-brick building, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, awaits its annual replastering, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Moustapha Diallo, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kola Bah used to earn a living as a tour guide in Mali's historic city of Djenné, known for the sprawling mud-brick mosque that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list since 2016.
The Grand Mosque of Djenné — the world’s largest mud-brick building — used to draw tens of thousands of tourists to central Mali every year. Now it's threatened by conflict between rebels, government forces and other groups.
Bah says his income was enough to support his family, which now numbers nine children, and to pay for a small herd of cattle. But these days, few visitors come to the city, and he has been largely out of work. When he needs cash, he sells some of his cattle.
Speaking to The Associated Press outside his home in Djenné's old town, Bah said locals believed the crisis would come to an end eventually, and that business would pick up as before.
“But the more time passed, the more this dream proved illusory,” he said. “Things are really difficult now.”
Djenné is one of the oldest towns in sub-Saharan Africa and served as a market center and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. Almost 2,000 of its traditional houses still survive in the old town.
The Grand Mosque, built in 1907 on the site of an older mosque dating back to the 13th century, is re-plastered every year by local residents in a ritual that brings together the entire city. The towering, earth-colored structure requires a new layer of mud before the rainy season starts, or it would fall into disrepair.
Women are responsible for carrying water from the nearby river to mix with clay and rice hulls to make the mud used to plaster the mosque. Adding the new layer of mud is a job reserved for men. The joyful ritual is a source of pride for a city that has fallen on hard times, uniting people of all ages.
Bamouyi Trao Traoré, one of Djenné’s lead masons, says they work as a team from the very start. This year's replastering took place earlier this month.
“Each one of us goes to a certain spot to supervise,” he said. “This is how we do it until the whole thing is done. We organize ourselves, we supervise the younger ones.”
Mali’s conflict erupted following a coup in 2012 that created a power vacuum, allowing extremist groups to seize control of key northern cities. A French-led military operation pushed them out of the urban centers the following year, but the success was short-lived.
The extremists regrouped and launched relentless attacks on the Malian military, as well as the United Nations, French and regional forces in the country. The militants proclaimed allegiance to al-Qaida and the ISIS group.
Sidi Keita, the director of Mali’s national tourism agency in the capital of Bamako, says the drop in tourism was sharp following the violence.
“It was really a popular destination," he said, describing tens of thousands of visitors a year and adding that today, tourists are “virtually absent from Mali.”.
Despite being one of Africa’s top gold producers, Mali ranks among the least developed nations in the world, with almost half of its 22 million people living below the national poverty line. With the tourism industry all but gone, there are ever fewer means for Malians to make a living.
Anger and frustration over what many Malians call “the crisis” is rising. The country also saw two more coups since 2020, during a wave of political instability in West and Central Africa.
Col. Assimi Goita, who took charge in Mali after a second coup in 2021, expelled French forces the following year, and turned to Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance. He also ordered the UN to end its 10-year peacekeeping mission in Mali the following year.
Goita has promised to beat back the armed groups, but the UN and other analysts say the government is rapidly losing ground to militants. With Mali's dire economic situation getting worse, Goita's ruling junta ordered all political activities to stop last month, and the following day barred the media from reporting on political activities.
Moussa Moriba Diakité, head of Djenne’s cultural mission which strives to preserve the city’s heritage, said there are other challenges beyond security — including illegal excavations and trash disposal in the city.
The mission is trying to promote the message that security isn’t as bad as it seems, he said, and also get more young people involved in the replastering ritual, to help the new generation recognize its importance.
“It's not easy to get people to understand the benefits of preserving cultural heritage right away,” he said.