RIYADH: The Heritage Commission launched the “Aadat” national awareness campaign to enhance public understanding of the importance of Saudi antiquities.
The campaign underscores the vital role of artifacts in reinforcing the Kingdom’s cultural and national identity, reflecting the succession of civilizations across its land over millennia.
It is part of a broader series of initiatives by the commission to spotlight Saudi antiquities and raise awareness of threats they face, such as encroachments and illegal trafficking.
HIGHLIGHT
The campaign promotes the idea that protecting antiquities is a shared responsibility, rooted in a deep appreciation of their role in the nation’s cultural heritage.
The campaign promotes the idea that protecting antiquities is a shared responsibility, rooted in a deep appreciation of their role in the nation’s cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It adopts a comprehensive approach using various media and outreach tools, including field campaigns in public areas, markets, malls, and universities across multiple regions.
The commission also plans to introduce interactive pavilions to showcase key archaeological sites and highlight the Kingdom’s geographical and cultural diversity.
It stressed that the campaign continues its ongoing efforts to safeguard artifacts, which are rich in symbolic and cultural meaning.
Each artifact, the commission noted, tells a story from the past, and its preservation is essential to maintaining the national memory for future generations.
The commission announced last week that 744 new archaeological sites have been added to the National Antiquities Register, raising the total to 10,061 across the Kingdom.
This milestone underscores the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and reflects the commission’s ongoing commitment to documenting and preserving these sites.
The newly registered sites are spread across several regions: Riyadh (253), Makkah (11), Madinah (167), Qassim (30), Eastern Province (13), Asir (64), Tabuk (72), Hail (13), Northern Borders (2), Jazan (23), Najran (86), and Jouf (10).
Stressing the importance of community involvement in heritage preservation, the commission urged citizens and residents to report unregistered sites via the Balagh platform, social media, or the Unified Security Operations Center at 911.
