Al-Ula and Khaybar launch the 2026-2027 archaeological season to promote archaeological research and heritage preservation

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The Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate announced the launch of the 2026-2027 archaeological season in Al-Ula and Khaybar, as part of its efforts to protect cultural heritage, expand the scope of archaeological research, and enhance the status of the two regions as a center of knowledge and historical discoveries at the global level.

The season continues the process of excavation, documentation and preservation witnessed in recent years, based on the results of previous research, with the aim of deepening understanding of the history of northwestern Arabia and its successive civilizations, and developing methods for studying archaeological sites and preserving their findings.

The program includes an integrated set of activities, including field research, specialized studies, and digital documentation, in addition to preserving archaeological sites, engaging the local community, and developing national competencies, in a way that enhances historical knowledge and consolidates Saudi expertise in the fields of antiquities and heritage protection.

The season focuses on multiple research axes, most notably early human presence, ancient Arab kingdoms and oasis societies, transportation and pilgrimage routes, environmental history and water management, inscriptions and written heritage, as well as material culture and lifestyles. These axes contribute to linking archaeological discoveries across various sites and historical periods, and providing a broader picture of the life and development of ancient societies.

At the Al-Hijr site, research addresses aspects of ancient human existence, with a focus on analyzing plant and animal remains and archaeological finds, with the aim of revealing the nature of life at the site during different historical stages.

As for Dadan, the second phase of the archaeological project begins based on the results of the previous phase, which lasted five years, with attention directed to funerary and residential sites, which will help track the development of one of the most prominent ancient cultural centers in Al-Ula.

In Khaybar, studies focus on the relationship between man and the oasis throughout the ages, through research that includes the Neolithic Age, the history of the region during Islamic times, sedimentary records and ancient environments, in addition to studying natural resources and their role in shaping patterns of settlement and cultural transformations.

Research on movement routes south of AlUla sheds light on the historical routes of pilgrimage and trade, including forts, railway stations, and associated archaeological evidence, with the aim of understanding the transportation networks that linked the region to its surroundings over successive periods of time.

The written heritage enjoys a prominent place within the program, after research documented more than 25,000 inscriptions in AlUla, which represent an important source for studying the history of northwestern Arabia, its languages, and the cultural interactions that the region witnessed throughout the ages.

Specialized studies include analyzing animal remains and pottery, studying water canal systems and water management methods in oases, in addition to examining elements of material culture, allowing the transition from recording discoveries to analyzing the details of the daily life of ancient societies.

In the context of developing national capabilities, the season continues to provide training and qualification opportunities in the fields of field work, laboratory analysis, specialized studies, and digital documentation, in cooperation with international research institutions, in a way that supports the transfer of knowledge and the development of Saudi competencies in the antiquities and heritage sector.

University students also participate in excavations, laboratory studies, and digital documentation, under the supervision of Saudi and international experts. The program includes community initiatives that link archaeological research with local knowledge, through applied experiments and visits to sites, museums and laboratories, with the participation of teachers, students, storytellers and nature protectors.

The Antiquities Season comes within the strategy of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate to preserve the cultural heritage, promote scientific research, and consolidate the status of Al-Ula and Khaybar as two prominent destinations for archaeological discoveries, cultural exchange, and sustainable development based on heritage, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in protecting the national heritage, highlighting the cultural identity of the Kingdom, and introducing the world to its cultural heritage.