Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Discovery of Over 200,000-Year-Old Hand Axe

RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Discovery of Over 200,000-Year-Old Hand Axe

RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla Governorate have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age, estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
It is a strong tool, made of soft basalt stone 51.3 cm long, that could have been used for cutting or chopping. Studies are still conducted to identify the purpose of its use.
Qurh is one of the historical sites that have gained prominence in the early Islamic periods. It was one of the most important urban sites in the Arabian Peninsula, rich with secrets and historical and archeological treasures.
The ancient tool was discovered by a team of archeologists from the heritage consultancy TEOS Heritage, which is exploring the area around Qurh, south of AlUla, looking for evidence of man's existence in ancient times. The team has found several archeological discoveries dating back to the early Islamic period, but this new discovery, the hand axe, is considered to mark a new chapter in the history of humanity in and outside the Arabian Peninsula.
RCU is currently overseeing 11 other specialized archeological projects in AlUla and Khyber, all part of its efforts to discover the secrets of ancient times. The commission attaches great importance to archeological discoveries as part of its AlUla comprehensive development plan to become a world-leading destination for natural and cultural heritage.



Saudi Arabia's Camel Year 2024 Initiative Participates in 'Banan' Week

The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
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Saudi Arabia's Camel Year 2024 Initiative Participates in 'Banan' Week

The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels

The Year of the Camel 2024 initiative, a Ministry of Culture project, participated in the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) Exhibition at Riyadh's Roshn Front with a pavilion informing the public about the initiative and celebrating camels as a key component of Saudi culture.
The pavilion at Banan presents educational content about camels through panels and a display screen. It also features prominent rock engravings scattered across the Kingdom, reflecting the importance of camels from pre-Islamic times, early Islamic periods, and subsequent eras.
The pavilion also showcases some camel-related products typically made by craftspeople, such as the "shaddad," a wooden seat placed on the camel's hump for the rider, and the "khirj," consisting of two attached bags placed over the shaddad and hanging down its sides to store the rider's personal belongings.
This participation is part of the activities and efforts of the Year of the Camel 2024 initiative, through which the Ministry of Culture aims to celebrate camels in both local and international forums and introduce visitors to camels as a historical source of pride for Saudis.
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels and in recognition of their esteemed status in Saudi society and their enduring connection with the people of the Arabian Peninsula throughout history.