Rock art in Saudi Arabia’s Harrat is testament to ancient life, cultural exchange

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Ancient carvings near Tabuk depict scenes of hunting and daily life, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the region’s early inhabitants. (SPA)
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Updated 29 December 2024
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Rock art in Saudi Arabia’s Harrat is testament to ancient life, cultural exchange

  • Archaeological surveys conducted by the Heritage Commission have revealed a wealth of rock art and inscriptions dating back to various periods, including Thamudic, Nabataean, Lihyanite, and Islamic

RIYADH: The Harrat region, south of Tabuk, is a treasure trove of ancient history, boasting a remarkable collection of rock art that provides a fascinating glimpse into past civilizations, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

The rugged volcanic landscape served as a canvas for ancient inhabitants, who expressed their beliefs, experiences, and social interactions through intricate engravings and paintings.




Ancient carvings near Tabuk depict scenes of hunting and daily life, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the region’s early inhabitants. (SPA)

Depictions of hunting scenes, made using simple tools, offer a window into the daily lives of the early inhabitants of these areas, the SPA report noted.

Rock art also provides a record of the fauna that once lived in the region, including oryx, gazelles, and even tigers.

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Dual-script inscriptions from the 5th century, discovered in Alqan village, highlight the evolution of language and the enduring artistic spirit of the Tabuk area.

Moreover, numerous engravings feature symbolic and abstract motifs, likely carrying religious or cultural significance and reflecting the tribal identities of the area’s ancient societies.




Ancient carvings near Tabuk depict scenes of hunting and daily life, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the region’s early inhabitants. (SPA)

These rock art sites underscore the historical significance of the Tabuk region as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange.

Located at the intersection of ancient trade routes, Tabuk served as a vital link between the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring civilizations, including those of ancient Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, and Asia.

Archaeological surveys conducted by the Heritage Commission have revealed a wealth of rock art and inscriptions dating back to various periods, including Thamudic, Nabataean, Lihyanite, and Islamic.

A recent discovery in the village of Alqan — “dual-line” inscriptions dating back to the fifth century — has provided valuable new insights.

These inscriptions, featuring both Thamudic and early Arabic scripts, offer compelling evidence of the continuity of writing traditions in the region and the ongoing evolution of language.

 


KSA, Japan sign MoU to boost judicial ties

Updated 30 sec ago
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KSA, Japan sign MoU to boost judicial ties

  • Ministers discussed ways to strengthen judicial ties between the two countries
  • Walid Al-Samaani reviewed recent developments in Saudi Arabia’s judicial and legal sectors

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani met with his Japanese counterpart Keisuke Suzuki during an official visit to the East Asian country.

The ministers discussed ways to strengthen judicial ties between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Al-Samaani reviewed recent developments in Saudi Arabia’s judicial and legal sectors, supported by King Salman and overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, particularly regarding specialized legislation aimed at ensuring prompt justice.

He highlighted key advancements, including promoting transparency through audio and video documentation of court sessions — both in-person and virtual — and the publication of judicial rulings.

He also emphasized efforts to activate the preventive justice system by documenting contracts as enforceable instruments, SPA reported.

On the sidelines, Al-Samaani and Suzuki signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in the judicial field, including the exchange of expertise and information, and collaboration in legislation, capacity building, and dispute resolution.


Shoura Council calls for metro systems in major Saudi cities

Updated 15 min 44 sec ago
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Shoura Council calls for metro systems in major Saudi cities

  • Council urged the Public Transport Authority to expand the training programs offered by the Saudi Logistics Academy
  • Council members also emphasized the importance of improving the standards used to evaluate the quality of shuttle transport services for pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council has called for studies into developing metro systems in the Kingdom’s major cities, Asharq Al-Awsat has reported.

On Tuesday, the council urged the Public Transport Authority to expand the training programs offered by the Saudi Logistics Academy.

Council members also emphasized the importance of improving the standards used to evaluate the quality of shuttle transport services for pilgrims to ensure efficiency.

They stressed the need to increase the passenger capacity of the Kingdom’s railway network and to raise train speeds to match those of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which spans the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and offers transport for pilgrims.

Riyadh’s metro network opened in December last year and became fully operational in January.

The Kingdom also has a passenger railway network connecting Riyadh with the Eastern Province and Northern Borders regions.

One of the country’s goals under Vision 2030 is to improve the public transport network with the aims of easing traffic congestion in cities and lowering carbon emissions.


Inaugural Middle East Fortune women’s summit brings together female leaders

Updated 43 min 29 sec ago
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Inaugural Middle East Fortune women’s summit brings together female leaders

  • Vision 2030 goals to increase female workforce participation in spotlight
  • Business, government, investment, tech, policy leaders represented

RIYADH: The first Fortune Most Powerful Women International summit in the Middle East convened in Riyadh this week.

The event brought together a global network of female leaders from business, government, investment, tech and policy sectors.

“As women, we often find ourselves needing to prove our capabilities more when it comes to our careers,” said Dr. Giovanna Carnevali, executive director of master planning at ROSHN Group.

“At the same time, we bring deep passion to our work and put our heart and soul into everything we do. I always say that what truly matters is letting your work speak for you.”

Speaking to Arab News during the event, Carnevali said her career in Saudi Arabia reflected the country’s transformation.

“The experiences I have had here are unique. Living and working in the Kingdom has been a continuous journey of growth, and I am truly grateful for what the country has offered me and to women more broadly,” she said.

From geopolitics and sustainability to artificial intelligence and banking, the forum’s sessions highlighted how Saudi Arabia — and its women — are reshaping the global conversation on leadership.

Lubna Olayan, chair of Saudi Awwal Bank, talked about how Vision 2030 had already surpassed its workforce target for women and called for greater ambitions.

“We need to set a new benchmark,” she told moderator Diane Brady. “In my company, we now have 36 percent women. When we started hiring women in 2001, there was just one.”

Olayan, the first Saudi woman to chair a bank and join a public board, said real progress depended on investment in leadership.

“We need to bring more women into decision-making roles. If the candidates are equal, I’ll back the woman — because we’re still behind,” she added.

Technology was another recurring topic. Prof. Lilac Al-Safadi, CEO of IKONIC Educational Holding, outlined Saudi Arabia’s position as an emerging AI powerhouse.

“The Kingdom has trained more than 60,000 AI professionals and launched the world’s first cognitive city — not just smart, but fully AI-integrated,” she said.

And Ellie Rubenstein, co-founder of Manna Tree and one of the first US food investors to enter the Saudi market, said demand in her sector was shifting fast: “Seven years ago, we were seen as a food security fund. Today, it’s about wellness. The consumers here — especially women — are driving that shift.”

She emphasized the importance of understanding what women wanted: “It’s not just about selling products. Brands need to speak to values — wellness, empowerment, sustainability. Women here are not just shaping their families. They’re shaping their country.”


Saudi FM receives phone call from North Macedonian counterpart

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud. (File/AFP)
Updated 21 May 2025
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Saudi FM receives phone call from North Macedonian counterpart

DUBAI: The Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan recently received a phone call from his North Macedonian counterpart Timcho Mucunski, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interest.


Saudi minister inspects Hajj readiness in Jeddah

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser reviewed the transport and logistics sector’s readiness for the Hajj
Updated 21 May 2025
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Saudi minister inspects Hajj readiness in Jeddah

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser reviewed the transport and logistics sector’s readiness for the Hajj season in Jeddah, following earlier inspections in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.

At King Abdulaziz International Airport, he inspected the Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex and Saudia airline operations, assessing preparations to handle more than 7,000 pilgrim flights and ensure smooth passenger flow.

He also visited the complex’s media center, which supports local and international press coverage by providing a coordinated workspace with essential resources, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Al-Jasser evaluated the center’s technical and staffing readiness and emphasized full media preparedness for the event.

He then toured Jeddah Islamic Port to inspect Saudi Ports Authority operations supporting pilgrims arriving by sea, the SPA reported.

He reviewed arrival and departure halls equipped with 100 passport counters, 300 luggage carts, a health center offering vaccinations and medical services, and specialized equipment for the elderly and those with medical needs.