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Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Holds Talks with British, Iranian Officials

Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq meets with UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Stephen Parkinson in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq meets with UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Stephen Parkinson in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Holds Talks with British, Iranian Officials

Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq meets with UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Stephen Parkinson in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq meets with UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Stephen Parkinson in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq held talks in Riyadh on Wednesday with the UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Stephen Parkinson.

They met on the sidelines of the 45th Extended Session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which is taking place in the Saudi capital from September 10 to 25.

Al-Touq welcomed the British official to Saudi Arabia and extended his gratitude to the UK for announcing support for the Kingdom’s nomination to the UNESCO Executive Board for the term 2023-2027 term.

The officials discussed the existing cooperation and stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations within the framework of the memorandum of understanding for cultural cooperation that was signed in February 2022.

They also looked forward to cooperating in developing various projects in the heritage and museum fields.

Al-Touq also met with Iranian Vice Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Dr. Ali Darabi, who was also attending the UNESCO event.

The officials discussed ways to boost cultural cooperation in various fields.

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Culture

Gold Rings Around 2,000 Years Old Found During Dig at Thailand Archaeological Site

In this photo released by The Fine Arts Department, an archaeologist shows two rings with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand Thursday, July 2, 2026. (The Fine Arts Department via AP)
In this photo released by The Fine Arts Department, an archaeologist shows two rings with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand Thursday, July 2, 2026. (The Fine Arts Department via AP)
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Gold Rings Around 2,000 Years Old Found During Dig at Thailand Archaeological Site

In this photo released by The Fine Arts Department, an archaeologist shows two rings with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand Thursday, July 2, 2026. (The Fine Arts Department via AP)
In this photo released by The Fine Arts Department, an archaeologist shows two rings with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand Thursday, July 2, 2026. (The Fine Arts Department via AP)

Two gold rings aged around 2,000 years old were discovered during an excavation at a new archaeological site in western Thailand, officials said.

The rings were found with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province last week, the Thai government's Fine Arts Department said in a statement.

One ring found Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be Bhrami script, an ancient Indian writing system. An initial assessment by experts identified the script reading as “pusarakhitasa,” meaning “the one protected by Pushya,” said to be one of the most auspicious zodiac signs in Indian astronomy, The Associated Press quoted the department as saying.

The other ring found with the same skeletal remains is a plain gold ring without any pattern. Experts believe the rings’ owner may have been a merchant of the Indian ancient caste system Vaishyas, the department said.

The Don Yai Thong archaeological site, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of the capital Bangkok, was discovered early this year after residents found pieces of ancient bronze drums in a rice field, leading to further excavation.

The site was dated to a late prehistoric era in Thailand, a period of human settlement also known as the Iron Age, established to be around 1,500 to 2,500 years ago.

Since February, archaeologists have discovered eight human skeletons, bronze and gold jewelry, pottery and other artifacts indicating a ceremonial burial of wealthy people or members of the society’s upper classes.

The excavation is expected to be complete in another month, with plans to showcase the archaeological finds to the public, the Fine Arts Department said.

Culture

Historic Clock at Two Holy Mosques Exhibition Reflects Timekeeping at Prophet's Mosque

A rare historic clock is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah. (SPA)
A rare historic clock is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah. (SPA)
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Historic Clock at Two Holy Mosques Exhibition Reflects Timekeeping at Prophet's Mosque

A rare historic clock is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah. (SPA)
A rare historic clock is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah. (SPA)

A rare historic clock is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah, offering visitors a glimpse into the long history of care devoted to the Prophet's Mosque, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Believed to date back to 1277 AH (1860 AD), the clock reflects the enduring attention given to the architecture, maintenance and furnishings of the Two Holy Mosques over the centuries.

The clock is among the exhibition's most significant historical artifacts, representing valuable documentation of the development of timekeeping at the Prophet's Mosque during the 13th century AH.

It played an important role in organizing prayer times and acts of worship, while its precise craftsmanship and elegant design reflect the high level of artistry for which industries of that period were renowned.

The exhibition serves as a prominent cultural destination for Makkah visitors, offering an opportunity to explore rare historical treasures associated with serving the Two Holy Mosques and the efforts devoted to their care.

It also showcases the Saudi era, which has witnessed the largest expansion, development, and service projects in the history of the Two Holy Mosques, keeping pace with the growing numbers of visitors and enabling them to perform their acts of worship in an atmosphere of safety and tranquility.

 

 

Culture

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Signs Global Partnership to Develop, Empower Emerging Talent

The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements. SPA
The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements. SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Signs Global Partnership to Develop, Empower Emerging Talent

The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements. SPA
The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements. SPA

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fitch Learning, one of the world's leading professional development institutions, to collaborate on designing and implementing specialized development initiatives.

The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements.

The partnership will result in the development and implementation of professional development initiatives and programs based on international best practices, contributing to knowledge transfer, strengthening leadership and specialized competencies, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and enhancing the readiness of human capital.

The partnership is also expected to improve CDF's operational efficiency and support its long-term sustainability.