Saudi Arabia to host global conference on archaeology and nomadic heritage

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla is set to hold a global archaeology conference on 30–31 October, dedicated to the future of archaeological practices and the cultural legacy of nomadic societies. This prestigious annual event, alternating with the World Archaeology Summit in AlUla, will unite leading archaeologists and cultural heritage experts from across the globe. This is reported by Arab News.

A key theme of the conference will be the profound influence of mobility in shaping human history. Since prehistoric times, the movement of people has been a vital tool for accessing new opportunities, improving living conditions, facilitating exploration, and responding to environmental challenges.

As mobility continues to be a pressing issue, the conference aims to provide a fresh perspective on its various dimensions, with a particular focus on how movement and nomadic lifestyles have contributed to human progress.

Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, Vice President of Culture at the Royal Commission for AlUla, emphasised that this event aims to create a pioneering and collaborative platform for dialogue, laying the groundwork for the upcoming World Archaeology Summit in 2025.

Groundbreaking research led by the Royal Commission for AlUla, in collaboration with Saudi and international archaeologists, has shed new light on key moments in AlUla’s history. This includes the discovery of monumental stone structures known as "mustatils" (meaning "rectangles" in Arabic), which remain a subject of fascination for researchers.

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