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Saudi Heritage Commission Organizes Scientific Symposium on Al-Faw Archaeological Area

The Saudi Heritage Commission said it will hold the "Scientific Symposium on Cultural Landscape Research on the Al-Faw Archaeological Area.” SPA
The Saudi Heritage Commission said it will hold the "Scientific Symposium on Cultural Landscape Research on the Al-Faw Archaeological Area.” SPA
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Saudi Heritage Commission Organizes Scientific Symposium on Al-Faw Archaeological Area

The Saudi Heritage Commission said it will hold the "Scientific Symposium on Cultural Landscape Research on the Al-Faw Archaeological Area.” SPA
The Saudi Heritage Commission said it will hold the "Scientific Symposium on Cultural Landscape Research on the Al-Faw Archaeological Area.” SPA

The Saudi Heritage Commission said Tuesday it will hold the "Scientific Symposium on Cultural Landscape Research on the Al-Faw Archaeological Area.”

The symposium aims to raise awareness about the area, and highlight its historical and archaeological significance, and the ongoing research and excavation projects that began with the late Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ansary, a pioneer in the study of archaeology in the Kingdom.

The Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site of outstanding universal value to humanity, during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi on July 22-31, making it the eighth Saudi site to achieve this recognition.

The symposium showcases the contributions of King Saud University in Al-Faw archaeological area, reflecting the commission's partnerships with public, private, and non-profit sectors.

It also explores Saudi Arabia's historical and cultural importance, emphasizing the need to enrich the academic field with cutting-edge archaeological studies, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and insight in the field.

The commission seeks to raise public awareness about the country's extensive archaeological heritage, which spans millennia.

Field visits to the area will be organized for speakers and participants in the symposium, and 22 research papers on topics such as the origins of the Al-Faw archaeological area and its social and economic history will be presented for discussion in five sessions.

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Culture

Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
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Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa, north of Qassim Region, stands as one of the oldest traditional weekly markets, enduring through changing times while maintaining its role as a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

The market draws a growing number of visitors from across Qassim and beyond, supported by the governorate’s strategic location.

During a field tour, the Saudi Press Agency observed lively activity throughout the market, with stalls displaying a diverse range of products. These include agricultural goods such as almonds and dried figs; animal products like ghee and milk, for which the region is renowned; as well as handicrafts and natural items such as henna and sidr.

Visitors noted that the market has retained its authentic character, continuing to serve as a vital source of income for small vendors and families working in the cottage industry, reinforcing its role as a key platform for preserving traditional culture while supporting the local rural economy.

Culture

Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
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Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA

Al-Nasb Heritage District in Abha is one of the most prominent living examples of traditional architecture in Aseer Region, preserving its long history and architectural details that embody people’s connection to their local environment and document the social and cultural patterns that have shaped the identity of the place across generations.

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition, where mud and stone buildings stand side by side in visual harmony. They were built using local materials such as stone, clay, and juniper trunks, while the narrow alleyways and closely set buildings give the district a cohesive social character that reflects the spirit of past communities in the region and the close relationship between people and place.

The Heritage Commission has revived the district through an integrated restoration and rehabilitation project aimed at preserving its original elements and enhancing its sustainability, as part of national efforts to protect urban heritage and highlight it as a cultural and tourism asset, SPA reported.

The site is also distinguished by its natural setting, as the district overlooks the banks of Abha Valley and surrounding farms, giving it a distinctive visual and aesthetic dimension. Its narrow passageways and closely set buildings illustrate a traditional urban pattern that strengthens ties among residents and captures the nature of social life in that era.

The district is now a growing destination for culture and tourism in Abha, attracting visitors and heritage enthusiasts who come to explore the details of authentic architecture and learn about the traditional ways of life that have shaped Aseer Region’s identity across generations. The project helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving archaeological sites as a key pillar in forming national memory.

The project is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect and effectively manage cultural heritage, in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, which gives special attention to the cultural sector. It seeks to turn heritage sites into vibrant spaces that support cultural tourism and sustainable development while reconnecting society with its historical roots.

Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Enforces Strict Penalties Against Antiquities Violators

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
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Saudi Heritage Commission Enforces Strict Penalties Against Antiquities Violators

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced financial fines against 11 violators for dealing in portable antiquities without obtaining the required regulatory licenses, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect cultural heritage in the Kingdom and enhance compliance with regulations governing the sector.

The commission clarified that the violations involved displaying and selling antiquities on online platforms without registering or documenting them with the Heritage Commission or obtaining the necessary licenses, in explicit violation of the provisions of the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage.

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation, reaching up to SAR15,000 in some cases.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring violations related to heritage sites and collections across the Kingdom and taking the necessary legal and regulatory actions against all those proven to have contravened the regulations.

The Heritage Commission called on all citizens and residents to report any violations or non-compliant practices related to heritage sites or collections through its social media channels, by visiting its branches across the Kingdom, through the Archaeological Site Reporting platform, or by contacting the unified security operations center at 911.