UNESCO has inscribed the cultural landscape of the Al-Faw archaeological area as Saudi Arabia’s eighth cultural heritage site during its 46th session in New Delhi. This recognition highlights the rich historical and cultural significance of Al-Faw, a site that offers a unique window into the Arabian Peninsula’s ancient past.
The Saudi delegation to the meeting in India was led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos.
The delegation delivered several speeches highlighting Saudi Arabia’s interest, support, and contributions to UNESCO’s efforts to preserve world heritage. Activities also included discussions on the digital heritage platform, capacity building in African countries, and an event on Islamic World Heritage organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
Additionally, the Saudi delegation met with representatives from other official delegations attending the session to strengthen cooperation in heritage conservation. The digital heritage platform, a collaborative effort between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, is an online platform that utilises cutting-edge digital technologies to explore UNESCO’s cultural and natural world heritage sites as well as intangible cultural heritage.
Al-Faw joins seven other prestigious sites in Saudi Arabia on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These include the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madain Salih), At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah, Historic Jeddah, the Gateway to Makkah, Rock Art in the Hail Region, Al-Ahsa Oasis, the Cultural Landscape of Rock Art at Shuwaymis, and the recently added Hima Cultural Area. Notably, this year marks the tenth anniversary of Historic Jeddah’s inclusion on the list, further highlighting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Al-Faw is strategically situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the Arabian Peninsula. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Kindah, Al-Faw is located on the edge of Al-Rub’ Al-Khali (the Empty Quarter), 100km south of Wadi Al-Dawasir on the modern route connecting the cities of Wadi Al-Dawasir and Najran. It served as a pivotal commercial hub, linking the south Arabian regions with central and eastern Arabia.
The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the Kingdom of Kindah, a confederation of nomadic tribes known for being the first recorded nomadic monarchy in Arabia. Al-Faw thrived as a capital under Kindah’s rule, serving as a centre for trade and cultural exchange. The city’s prominence is further underscored by its complex irrigation systems, which sustained its agricultural needs in one of the harshest desert environments.
Key Findings and Historical Context
Al-Faw’s archaeological landscape reveals a complex history of human settlement and interaction. The site features remnants from various periods, including:
Trade and Economy: The strategic location of Al-Faw along major trade routes facilitated its role as a commercial hub, evidenced by the discovery of artefacts from distant regions and advanced irrigation systems that supported agriculture in this arid region.
Palaeolithic and Neolithic Periods: The earliest traces of human activity are seen in the form of stone tools and other artefacts scattered across the site.
Protohistoric Era: This period is marked by the construction of monumental structures such as tapered buildings and funerary avenues, indicating a society capable of significant architectural achievements.
Kindah Kingdom: Al-Faw served as the capital of the Kindah Kingdom, a confederation of north and central Arabian tribes during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. This era saw the construction of grand structures and the flourishing of a complex urban and cultural life.
Religious and Cultural Artefacts: The site is rich with inscriptions and rock art, including a depiction of a warrior holding two spears, which may signify the presence of an elite warrior class. The inscriptions provide evidence of the worship of various deities and suggest possible religious syncretism or tolerance.
In July 2022, the Saudi Heritage Commission unveiled a swathe of discoveries made by a Saudi-international scientific team at the site of Al-Faw.
In a project spearheaded by the Heritage Commission, a Saudi-led multinational team of archaeologists conducted a comprehensive survey of the site using state-of-the-art technology. The study leveraged high-quality aerial photography; guided drone footage utilising ground control points; a topographic survey; remote sensing, ground-penetrating radar; laser scanning; and geophysical survey, as well as extensive walkover surveys and sondages throughout the site.
The survey yielded several discoveries, the most significant of which are the remains of a stone temple and parts of an altar, where the locals of Al-Faw would have practiced their rituals and ceremonies. The rock-cut temple sits on the edge of Mount Tuwaiq, known as Khashem Qaryah, east of Al-Faw.
Moreover, remains of 8,000-year-old Neolithic human settlements have been discovered along with 2,807 graves of different periods dotted throughout the site, which have been documented and classified into six groups.
Several devotional inscriptions were found throughout the grounds, enriching our understanding of the religious belief system of the community that inhabited the site. Among these is the inscription in the Jabal Lahaq sanctuary addressed to the god Kahal, the deity of Al-Faw, by a person named W H B L T (Wahb Allat) from the family of M L H T (Malha), locals of Guerra (the city of Al-Jarha). The significance of the inscription lies in its attribution to a family from the city of Al-Jarha and referring to the ancient name of the place where the sanctuary was built (Mount Tuwaiq).
The inscription indicates a relationship between the cities of Al-Faw and Al-Jarh? – most likely commercial considering Al-Faw’s location on the ancient trade route. It may also imply either religious tolerance between residents of the two cities, or the worship of Al-Faw’s deity, Kahal, by some of the residents of Al-Jarha. Though Al-Jarha was known for its wealth and economic power, its location has not yet been definitively identified, and several scholars associate it with the site of Thaj.
The discovery offers valuable data regarding the geographical distribution of Al-Faw’s sanctuaries, as well as revealing the foundations of four monumental buildings, some with corner towers. Their architecture, internal plans, and open-air courtyards suggest their use as resting places for trade caravans.
The archaeological study further uncovered a complex irrigation system, including canals, water cisterns, and hundreds of pits, dug by the residents of Al-Faw to bring rainwater to the agricultural areas. This may explain how the inhabitants of these lands overcame and adapted to the arid climate and minimal rainfall of one of the world’s harshest desert environments. Extensive surveys and remote-sensing images have revealed several agricultural fields used to grow various crops to sustain residents.
Discoveries include a series of rock art and inscriptions carved on the face of Mount Tuwaiq, narrating the story of a man named Madhekar bin Muneim, and illustrating daily scenes of hunting, travel, and battle.
Fieldwork at Al-Faw had first been initiated by King Saud University in the 1970s in a study supervised by Prof. Abdulrahman Al-Ansari, lasting for over 40 years. The study uncovered many cultural aspects of the site, notably the residential and market areas, temples, and tombs. The results of these archaeological activities were later published in seven book volumes.
In an official statement, Quality of Life Program CEO Khalid Al-Baker hailed the achievement as a testament to the country’s commitment to safeguarding its rich Islamic, Arab, and national heritage, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
Al-Baker attributed this achievement to the leadership’s support and the efforts of the Heritage Commission under the guidance of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.
Al-Faw is Saudi Arabia’s eighth UNESCO world heritage site, a figure that reflects the country’s growing stature as a global leader in cultural heritage stewardship.
According to Al-Baker, the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area and other national sites are expected to see a surge in the number of tourists, researchers, and academics eager to explore their historical significance. This influx of visitors will contribute to the development of a thriving cultural scene in the Kingdom, positioning it as a global tourism and cultural hub, he added.
The role of UNESCO and future prospects
The inscription of Al-Faw as a UNESCO World Heritage Site marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, showcasing its commitment to preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage. This recognition not only highlights Al-Faw’s historical importance but also sets the stage for future archaeological research and tourism development. The Saudi Heritage Commission plans to continue its conservation efforts, aiming to deepen our understanding of Al-Faw’s role in the broader context of Arabian history.
As Saudi Arabia looks to the future, the Al-Faw site stands as a testament to the nation’s rich past and its ongoing efforts to safeguard its cultural legacy. The inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is expected to attract scholars, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from around the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the region’s historical and cultural richness.
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