Heritage Commission Concludes 3rd Archaeological Excavation Project Season in Al-Baha

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Heritage Commission Concludes 3rd Archaeological Excavation Project Season in Al-Baha

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Heritage Commission has concluded the third season of the archaeological excavation project at the Al-Ma'mala site in the Al-Baha region, an effort aimed to uncover and understand the historical significance of archaeological sites across the Kingdom.
This season's excavations yielded considerable findings, including a series of well-preserved stone walls constructed with meticulously cut granite blocks, some reinforced with mud bricks. These walls, adorned with traces of plaster, demonstrate the attention to detail and advanced construction methods employed in ancient times. The height of the walls ranged from 50 to 120 centimeters and 50 to 80 centimeters in width, highlighting the sophisticated engineering and architectural techniques of that era, SPA reported.
Archaeologists discovered two distinct architectural units at the site, providing valuable insights into ancient lifestyles. These structures featured well-defined spaces, suggesting multiple uses and reflecting the advanced architectural practices of the time.
The excavations also unearthed a diverse collection of artifacts, including 230 pieces of pottery, some adorned with intricate geometric motifs, 48 stone pieces, 26 pieces of colored glass, 35 metal tools, and 17 stone tools, providing evidence of the site's vibrant commercial and industrial activity.
Al-Ma'mala site holds significant historical and commercial importance. Located 13 kilometers east of Al-Aqiq Governorate and 45 kilometers from the Al-Baha Region capital, it lies close to the ancient Elephant Road, a vital trade route for commercial caravans coming from southern Arabia before the advent of Islam.
Over time, the road evolved into an important pilgrimage route during the Islamic eras, further contributing to the prosperity of the surrounding villages and cities.
The Heritage Commission emphasized its commitment to conducting comprehensive archaeological surveys and excavations across the Kingdom. By employing advanced techniques in geographical surveying and field excavation, the commission aims to uncover and document new antiquities, shedding light on the Kingdom's rich history.



Chinese Travel More during Dragon Boat Holiday but Spending Lags

Spectators watch as participants take part in a dragon boat tug-of-war competition in the waters of Xujiachong harbour to mark the Dragon Boat festival, in Yichang, Hubei province, China May 31, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS
Spectators watch as participants take part in a dragon boat tug-of-war competition in the waters of Xujiachong harbour to mark the Dragon Boat festival, in Yichang, Hubei province, China May 31, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS
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Chinese Travel More during Dragon Boat Holiday but Spending Lags

Spectators watch as participants take part in a dragon boat tug-of-war competition in the waters of Xujiachong harbour to mark the Dragon Boat festival, in Yichang, Hubei province, China May 31, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS
Spectators watch as participants take part in a dragon boat tug-of-war competition in the waters of Xujiachong harbour to mark the Dragon Boat festival, in Yichang, Hubei province, China May 31, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS

Chinese people travelled more over the three-day Dragon Boat holiday this year, but spending remained below pre-pandemic levels, government data showed on Tuesday - indicators that are closely watched as barometers of consumer confidence.

Consumption in the world's second-largest economy has suffered amid sputtering growth and a prolonged property crisis, with uncertainty from the US-China trade war also weighing on consumer confidence.

The latest data painted a mixed picture for China's consumer economy. Travelers took an estimated 119 million domestic journeys from Friday to Monday, up 5.7% from the same holiday period last year, according to the Ministry for Tourism and Culture.

Overall spending over the period rose to 42.73 billion yuan ($5.94 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, but the average amount spent per traveler was a little under 360 yuan ($50), according to Reuters calculations, remaining stubbornly below 2019 levels of around 410 yuan per trip.

The Dragon Boat Festival took place from May 31 to June 2 - and is celebrated throughout the country with local dragon boat races. Many people take the opportunity to have short holidays, crowding train stations and airports around the country.

Cross-border journeys rose 2.7% to 5.9 million, with 231,000 foreign nationals entering the country visa-free during the holiday, broadcaster CCTV said late on Monday.

China has been expanding its visa policy, with citizens of 43 countries granted visa-free access, while visa-free transit for up to 240 hours in China is available for 54 countries.

Rail lines saw the peak of return passenger flow on June 2, with authorities adding 1,279 trains to more than 11,000 passenger trains overall across the country, while road travel was up 3% year-on-year, with 600 million car journeys recorded, mostly travelling short distances.

Chinese also boosted spending on entertainment over the holiday, with cinema box office revenue reaching 460 million yuan ($63.9 million), surpassing last year’s 384 million yuan, according to data from online ticketing platform Maoyan.

Tom Cruise’s latest movie "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" topped charts, and generated 228 million yuan, half of the total revenue during the holiday period, which was seen as a positive indicator for the upcoming summer season.