RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Heritage Commission has registered 67 new archaeological and historical sites in the National Antiquities Register, bringing the total number of registered archeological sites across the Kingdom to 8,531.
The new sites included 15 in the Northern Borders, 13 in Tabuk, 10 in Hail, nine in Jouf, five in Qasim, four sites each in Riyadh and Asir, three sites each in Madinah and Baha, and one site in Makkah.
The commission seeks to discover and officially register the Kingdom’s archeological and historical sites in the National Antiquities Register and put them on digital maps that facilitate their administration, protection and preservation.
It also aims to build a special database for registered archaeological sites and save and document works that are implemented therein, as well as archive documents and photos of the heritage sites in Saudi Arabia.
The commission commended the efforts of citizens, whom it considers key partners in preserving the Kingdom’s heritage, and called on the public to report any discovered archeological sites through the Balagh platform.
The commission is tasked with this responsibility under the second paragraph of Article 8 of the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage.
Under the Ministry of Culture, the commission has established a nationwide conservation strategy covering four categories: antiquities, urban heritage, handicrafts and intangible cultural heritage.
Under the patronage of UNESCO and the World Heritage Center, the International Council on Monuments and Sites has marked April 18 each year as Heritage Day, which is celebrated globally, including in Saudi Arabia.
