RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has launched the second phase of a project focused on studying underwater cultural heritage sites along the Red Sea coast.
In partnership with King Abdulaziz University and the University of Naples L’Orientale in Italy, the second phase builds on a series of national initiatives to preserve the Kingdom’s diverse cultural heritage.
This includes developing a sustainable approach to conserving underwater heritage, with a focus on sites spanning the governorates of Jeddah and Al-Qunfudhah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
International partners of the initiative include the Alexandria Center for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage, the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage in South Korea, and the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
The project seeks to provide accurate information for the management and protection of these sites, and expand research and scientific studies related to them. The ultimate goal is to enhance knowledge and documentation of this cultural heritage, SPA reported.
Expected outcomes include comprehensive reports analyzing archaeological findings, a developed management plan, and detailed scientific documentation of submerged heritage elements.
These will contribute to the national archaeological registry and enhance the national protection of underwater cultural heritage along the Red Sea coast, SPA reported.
This project will also highlight the historical and cultural connections between Saudi Arabia and other countries, as the Red Sea coast is a major historical maritime route.
The Kingdom has made significant efforts in this field, which aligns with the UNESCO Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001 Convention. These include establishing a dedicated center for underwater cultural heritage, a key initiative within Vision 2030 aimed at achieving sustainable development in the field of national heritage.
