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UNESCO Wants to Add Stonehenge to List of Endangered Heritage Sites

Stonehenge in southwest England -- carved and constructed at a time when there were no metal tools -- symbolizes Britain's semi-mythical pre-historic period, and has spawned countless legends. William EDWARDS / AFP
Stonehenge in southwest England -- carved and constructed at a time when there were no metal tools -- symbolizes Britain's semi-mythical pre-historic period, and has spawned countless legends. William EDWARDS / AFP
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UNESCO Wants to Add Stonehenge to List of Endangered Heritage Sites

Stonehenge in southwest England -- carved and constructed at a time when there were no metal tools -- symbolizes Britain's semi-mythical pre-historic period, and has spawned countless legends. William EDWARDS / AFP
Stonehenge in southwest England -- carved and constructed at a time when there were no metal tools -- symbolizes Britain's semi-mythical pre-historic period, and has spawned countless legends. William EDWARDS / AFP

The UN's cultural organization said Monday it recommended adding Stonehenge, the renowned prehistoric site in England, to its world heritage in danger list, in what would be seen as an embarrassment for London.
The site has been in the UN organization's sights because of British government plans to construct a controversial road tunnel near the world heritage site in southwestern England.
In a written decision seen by AFP, the World Heritage Committee recommended that Stonehenge be added to the UN body's heritage in danger list "with a view to mobilizing international support".
The decision will have to be voted upon by the member states of the World Heritage Committee at a meeting in New Delhi in July.
One diplomat told AFP that the decision will likely be approved.
Stonehenge has had UNESCO world heritage status since 1986.
Placement on the UN body's heritage in danger list is seen as a dishonor by some countries.
Last July the British government approved the construction of a controversial road tunnel near Stonehenge despite efforts by campaigners to halt the £1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) project.
The diplomat pointed out that London had decided to approve the project "despite repeated warnings from the World Heritage Committee since 2017."
The planned tunnel is intended to ease congestion on an existing main road to southwest England that gets especially busy during the peak holiday periods.
Experts have warned of "permanent, irreversible harm" to the area.
Druids have held protests against the tunnel at a site they consider sacred and where they celebrate the summer and winter solstice -- the longest and shortest days of the year.
Built in stages between around 3,000 and 2,300 BCE, Stonehenge is one of the world's most important prehistoric megalithic monuments in terms of its size, sophisticated layout and architectural precision.
UNESCO runs a list of sites with World Heritage status around the world, a prestigious title that countries compete to bestow on their most famous natural and man-made locations.
A listing can help boost tourism -- but it comes with obligations to protect the site.
The port city of Liverpool in northwest England lost its World Heritage status for its docks in 2021 after UNESCO experts concluded that new real estate developments in the city had taken too much of a toll on its historical fabric.

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Culture

Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
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Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA

The Cultural House in Jazan held a cultural meeting yesterday evening titled “The Importance of Translating Saudi Literature.” Participants discussed the role of translation in introducing Saudi literature to local and international audiences, and its impact on strengthening its presence and highlighting the richness and diversity of Saudi creative expression, SPA reported.

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers.

Speakers emphasized the importance of adhering to professional and ethical standards when translating literary works into other languages.

The discussion also underscored the role of translation in enabling local literature to reach a global readership, thereby fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the Kingdom’s literary identity on the international stage.

This meeting is part of a series of cultural programs designed to enrich the literary scene, raise awareness of translation-related issues, and create platforms for dialogue among intellectuals and those interested in cultural affairs.

Culture

Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the documentation and international publication of a scientific discovery of rare horseshoe crab fossils dating back approximately 465 million years, as part of a peer-reviewed study published in Gondwana Research, a leading international journal specialising in geological sciences.

This unique fossil discovery has been published globally for the first time, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a world-class center for geological and scientific research related to Earth’s history and biodiversity. The fossils were discovered in AlGharameel Nature Reserve in AlUla, adding a significant scientific dimension to the understanding of the region’s natural history, SPA reported.

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period, approximately 485–444 million years ago, making them among the oldest known horseshoe crab fossils worldwide. They are distinguished by their exceptionally large size compared to other specimens from the same period. All fossils were found preserved upside down, a mode of preservation not previously recorded, alongside trace fossils indicating attempts by the organisms to return to their natural position. This provides rare evidence of ancient behavioural patterns and enables their interpretation in light of contemporary biological knowledge, supporting advanced scientific research.

According to SPA, geological stratigraphic analysis indicated the recurrence of intense seasonal storms during that period, suggesting that these organisms congregated in shallow coastal environments affected by such events, which contributed to their preservation within sedimentary deposits.

These findings offer a clear picture of AlUla’s ancient coastal environment and add a new scientific perspective to understanding its geological and environmental history. They also highlight the commission’s capacity to provide accurate data that supports scientific research and innovation in the study of AlUla’s natural heritage.

The discovery also represents a previously unclassified species, investigated through two research phases in collaboration with a team led by Dr Russell Bicknell, an academic at Flinders University in Adelaide. The second phase, scheduled for the first half of 2026, will include the collection of additional samples and further study of the new species in preparation for its formal scientific classification. The fossil specimens have been preserved within RCU’s museum collections to support future research and public engagement.

The findings reflect the Royal Commission for AlUla’s commitment to advancing scientific transformation, strengthening AlUla’s position as a global destination for scientific discovery and geological research, enabling international partnerships, and developing research and educational programmes related to natural heritage.

Culture

Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
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Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA

The Levant pavilion at the Global Village, part of the Makkah winter events, is offering an integrated experience that reflects the depth of Levantine civilization and the richness of its cultural, artistic, and social heritage.

The pavilion takes visitors on a rich journey through authentic customs and traditions, featuring live performances and scenes that recreate details of traditional Levantine life, alongside displays of folk costumes and traditional handicrafts that express the region’s identity and historical continuity, SPA reported.

It also includes a diverse collection of handmade products, traditional accessories, and artistic pieces, set within an atmosphere that evokes the spirit of old marketplaces.

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge.

The pavilion is part of the village’s vision to enhance cultural exchange and highlight the civilizations of different peoples, in line with the objectives of the Makkah winter events to offer diverse tourism and cultural content that enriches visitors’ experiences and reflects Makkah’s status as a destination that blends authenticity and culture.