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Saudi Ministry of Culture Launches Camel Studies Grant

Saudi Ministry of Culture Launches Camel Studies Grant
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Saudi Ministry of Culture Launches Camel Studies Grant

Saudi Ministry of Culture Launches Camel Studies Grant

The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, launched the Camel Studies Grant, which aims to shine a light on the vital role camels play in Saudi Arabia's cultural, social, and economic fields through scientific research.

The grant welcomes proposals exploring various aspects of camel significance, encompassing historical, cultural, social, economic, environmental, and health dimensions, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The historical field encourages research that preserves the rich cultural heritage surrounding camels. This includes studies comparing the importance of camels across civilizations, historical and ethnographic analysis of camel-related traditions, and exploration of archival methods for safeguarding this heritage.

The cultural field focuses on the artistic and literary representation of camels. Researchers can delve into critical and literary studies on camels in Arabic and Saudi literature, including children's books. The field welcomes studies on camel-related vocabulary and their portrayal in various artistic mediums, from visual and cinematic arts to engravings and sculptures.

The social field investigates the place of camels in Arab and Islamic societies. Research can explore the local significance of camels, their social impact, traditions associated with ownership, and the influence of national camel events on communities, both locally and globally.

The economic field examines the economic contributions of camels and products derived from them. Researchers can analyze the use of camel wool and leather in fashion and furniture industries. The field encourages studies on sustaining the economic viability of camel products and measuring the financial impact of camel festivals and related institutions.

The environmental field focuses on the impact of camels on the environment. Research can explore sustainable land-use for camel grazing, analyze carbon dioxide emissions, and investigate the role of camels in maintaining ecological balance in arid lands.

The health field delves into the potential health benefits of camel products. Researchers can investigate the medical and therapeutic applications of these products. The field welcomes studies on developing technologies for measuring camel meat quality and projects focusing on camel breed preservation and genetic mapping.

The launch of the Camel Studies Grant coincides with the UN declaration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids. It also celebrates the Kingdom's designation of 2024 as the Year of the Camel.

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Viking Ship Navigating Seafarers’ Ancient Routes Berths in Adriatic 

A full-size archaeological reconstruction of a 10th-century Viking knarr "Saga Farmann" on its years-long expedition through European rivers, channels and seas, is berthed in Port of Bar, Montenegro, July 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A full-size archaeological reconstruction of a 10th-century Viking knarr "Saga Farmann" on its years-long expedition through European rivers, channels and seas, is berthed in Port of Bar, Montenegro, July 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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Viking Ship Navigating Seafarers’ Ancient Routes Berths in Adriatic 

A full-size archaeological reconstruction of a 10th-century Viking knarr "Saga Farmann" on its years-long expedition through European rivers, channels and seas, is berthed in Port of Bar, Montenegro, July 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A full-size archaeological reconstruction of a 10th-century Viking knarr "Saga Farmann" on its years-long expedition through European rivers, channels and seas, is berthed in Port of Bar, Montenegro, July 20, 2024. (Reuters)

A replica Viking ship has berthed in Montenegro's Adriatic port of Bar on a years-long trip through European waters inspired by the Norse seafarers who set out from Scandinavia to explore, trade and conquer a millennium ago.

The ship, Saga Farmann, is a full-size archaeological reconstruction of a 10th-century Viking cargo vessel, or knarr, made from oak and pine, which was found in Norway as early as 1893 but only excavated in the 1970s.

"This is the type of ship that would travel to Iceland, or Greenland, even North America," said Linda Sten Vagnes, one of the journey's leaders.

The trip, set to end in 2026, was originally planned to follow the Norwegian coast into the White Sea off northern Russia and the Volga River, but it was rerouted to follow the rivers of Europe from West to East.

"We had to the change the route because of the war (in Ukraine)," Sten Vagnes said.

The Viking age, spanning the 8th to 11th centuries AD, saw Norsemen journey from Scandinavia aboard timber longships to stage raids, trade and settle across a wide region, including North America, using their mastery of maritime technology.

The Saga Farman's journey, which started in 2023, was inspired by the sagas about Vikings who travelled to Constantinople, capital of the-then Byzantine empire.

It took years of hard work by enthusiasts, with the support of the governments of Denmark and Norway, to make an exact copy of a knarr. The vessel was launched in 2018, said Axel Hubert Persvik, a ship builder.

"It takes a long time because most of craft we do is by hand, ... it takes many hours to build it."

At the latest leg of the trip, the 21 meters (69 ft)-long and five meters (16 ft)-wide ship sailed from the Aegean Sea into the Adriatic, said Zander Simpson, the ship's captain.

"The next stage of the trip is around Italy, Sicily ... to stay in Rome this winter, before next year's stage which will take her up the Italian coast, the French Riviera ... to Paris."

In addition to sails and oars, the Saga Farmann has four electric motors to propel it upwind and upstream. More than three tons of batteries are stored onboard where they serve for propulsion and as ballast.