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'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition on Exploring Maritime Heritage to Be Held at Red Sea Museum

"Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" runs from February 25 to May 29. (SPA file photo)
"Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" runs from February 25 to May 29. (SPA file photo)
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'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition on Exploring Maritime Heritage to Be Held at Red Sea Museum

"Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" runs from February 25 to May 29. (SPA file photo)
"Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" runs from February 25 to May 29. (SPA file photo)

The Red Sea Museum, under the Museums Commission, announced the opening of "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea", running from February 25 to May 29.

The exhibition presents archaeological discoveries from the Red Sea as witnesses to human journeys, cultural exchange, and the enduring relationship between maritime heritage and environmental conservation, said the Museum Commission in a statement on Sunday.

"Sunken Treasures" invites visitors to discover how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs. Through archaeological artifacts, immersive visual experiences, and interactive technologies, the exhibition reveals the Red Sea coast as a cultural corridor upon which layers of history have accumulated over millennia.

Curated by Director of the Red Sea Museum Eman Zidan and Chief of the French-Saudi Archeological Mission in Farasân Islands Dr. Solène Marion de Procé, the exhibition unfolds across four thematic sections that together tell the story of maritime life, risk, and discovery in the Red Sea. The journey begins with "The Red Sea Passage", exploring how seasonal winds and navigation patterns shaped trade routes connecting the Mediterranean, southern Arabia, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

"Life Aboard the Ship" transports visitors into the world of historic seafarers, presenting the ship not just as a means of transport, but an integrated world of maritime voyages, where crew, cargo, and navigation tools reveal the accumulated expertise of reading the sea and sky. Pottery, coins, glass, and ceramic objects preserve stories of movement, connection, and communication across the Red Sea.

"Shipwrecks: From a Voyage to a Memory" explores the dramatic moment when journeys are cut short. Through storms, waves, or collision with coral reefs, vessels shift from means of crossing into silent traces.

"Exploring for Tomorrow" traces the transformation of shipwrecks from discovery to interpretation as scientific sources of knowledge. The section highlights conservation and restoration efforts carried out by the Heritage Commission and archaeological missions working on the Saudi coast of the Red Sea, following guidelines and frameworks that ensure protection for future generations.

"Sunken Treasures" demonstrates the Red Sea Museum's commitment to preserving the tangible, intangible, and natural heritage of the Red Sea while creating opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and sustainable development.

The exhibition is enriched through collaboration with key institutional partners, including the Heritage Commission and Historic Jeddah Program, who have loaned objects that strengthen the presentation of authentic material evidence of maritime and coastal heritage, reflecting a shared commitment to safeguarding the Maritime Heritage of Saudi Arabia.

The exhibition showcases the Red Sea Museum as a platform for knowledge creation and scientific research. It highlights how submerged cultural heritage is transformed into valuable historical knowledge through research-driven storytelling, while fostering collaboration between marine specialists, scientists, conservators, and the wider community.

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Culture

AlUla Marks World Heritage Day, Showcases Millennia of Human Civilization

AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects - SPA
AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects - SPA
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AlUla Marks World Heritage Day, Showcases Millennia of Human Civilization

AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects - SPA
AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects - SPA

AlUla Governorate is celebrating World Heritage Day, observed annually on April 18, by showcasing a historical legacy spanning thousands of years as a crossroads of ancient civilizations and a living testament to cultural continuity and architectural development, reinforcing its status as a premier global cultural center, SPA reported.

The governorate is home to landmarks of universal value, most notably Hegra, the first Saudi site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Other significant sites include AlUla Old Town, featuring over 900 traditional mud-brick houses that reflect the region's historical social fabric and unique architectural heritage.

AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects.

These efforts ensure the sustainability of its heritage for future generations, aligning with international standards for protecting human history and promoting global cultural awareness.

Culture

UK Proposal to Charge Tourists to Visit Museums Sparks Backlash

FILE PHOTO: People walk in front of the British Museum in London, Britain, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk in front of the British Museum in London, Britain, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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UK Proposal to Charge Tourists to Visit Museums Sparks Backlash

FILE PHOTO: People walk in front of the British Museum in London, Britain, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk in front of the British Museum in London, Britain, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Britain is considering introducing entry fees for tourists visiting some of England's most renowned museums, a proposal that has drawn criticism from restitution groups and countries while disputed artefacts remain on display.

Free admission to Britain's national museums and galleries was introduced in 2001 by former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair in a bid to make culture more accessible to all.

Last month, the UK government said it would work with the museum sector to explore the potential benefits of charging international visitors at ⁠national museums, including how ⁠this could support the arts sector. It would provide an update of the consultation before the end of the year, it said.

However, the proposal is facing backlash amid growing calls worldwide for artefacts to be sent back to their communities or countries of origin, Reuters reported.

Although some efforts have been made to confront the long-standing issue, artifacts as well as human ⁠remains taken during the colonial era are still held in various museums across Europe. Some long-standing claims for artifacts involving the British Museum include Greece's Parthenon Sculptures, known as Elgin marbles, and Nigeria's Benin Bronzes.

The British Museum has previously said that the strength of its collection lies in enabling millions of visitors to understand the world's cultures and how they are interconnected.

Ghana, which has some of its regalia and other artifacts in British institutions, said charging foreign visitors to view such objects raises issues of "fairness," particularly where restitution discussions remain ongoing, ⁠foreign minister ⁠Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told Reuters.

The proposal, if implemented, would be "unethica," said Eric Phillips, vice chair of the Caribbean Community's reparations commission, a bloc of 15 member states including Jamaica and Barbados.

"Why should we have to pay to see our heritage?" Phillips said.

Arley Gill, chairman of Grenada's national reparations committee, said the priority should be to return the artifacts to their "rightful owners."

Open Restitution Africa (ORA) said Africans and others already face barriers to accessing artifacts taken from their countries and held in Western museums, including visa requirements and travel costs.

"Introducing entry fees further compounds these inequalities," ORA said.

Meanwhile, the US-based non-profit Restitution Study Group said a fee exemption for such visitors would be a "meaningful gesture."

The government declined to comment on the criticism.

Culture

Riyadh Art Unveils 75 Works in Expanding Public Art Collection Across Capital

The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs. SPA
The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs. SPA
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Riyadh Art Unveils 75 Works in Expanding Public Art Collection Across Capital

The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs. SPA
The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs. SPA

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, through its “Riyadh Art” program, has unveiled 75 new artworks as part of a growing permanent collection installed across key locations in the capital.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand the presence of public art in urban spaces, with additional installations planned in the coming period.

The program aims to enrich daily life in Riyadh by integrating art into the urban fabric, contributing to a dynamic cultural environment that reflects the capital's regional and international stature.

As one of the world’s largest public art initiatives, the Riyadh Art program now features 75 installations, with plans to expand the collection by adding 115 more works. The current collection includes contributions from 35 Saudi artists and 100 international artists representing 45 countries.

Among the internationally renowned artists featured are Anish Kapoor, Giuseppe Penone, and Jeff Koons, alongside prominent Saudi artists such as Zaman Jassim, Mohammed Alsaleem, and Manal AlDowayan.

The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs, enabling residents and visitors to engage with them as part of their everyday environment and reinforcing the role of art in public life.

The collection comprises both commissioned and acquired works. Commissioned pieces are specifically designed to respond to their surroundings, integrating with the urban context and patterns of movement within each location.

Recent commissions were selected through an international competition that attracted 161 artists, with 72 shortlisted participants submitting 70 proposals. These contributions have helped shape a diverse and evolving collection spanning the city’s main axes and public spaces.