ALULA — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has launched its 2026–2027 archaeological fieldwork season across AlUla and Khaybar, expanding research into prehistoric settlements, ancient kingdoms, historic pilgrimage routes and the civilizations that shaped northwestern Arabia over thousands of years.The new season brings together Saudi and international researchers for excavations, archaeological surveys, specialist studies, digital documentation and conservation projects aimed at uncovering further evidence of the region's human history.Building on years of discoveries, the research program will examine human activity from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through the Bronze Age, the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, the Nabataean and Roman eras, and Islamic-period settlements and trade routes.At Hegra, archaeologists are focusing on the ancient settlement center and oasis, studying plant and animal remains alongside archaeological artifacts to better understand daily life across different historical periods.In Dadan, the second phase of the Dadan Archaeological Project will investigate burial grounds and residential areas, including settlements dating to the first millennium BCE and evidence of subsequent occupation.Research in Khaybar will explore Neolithic activity, Islamic-period settlements, ancient environmental conditions and the natural resources that influenced human settlement in the oasis.Meanwhile, archaeological teams in southern AlUla will examine historic Hajj routes, including forts, railway stations and other remains that illustrate how people, goods and ideas moved across the region.The commission said AlUla is home to more than 25,000 recorded inscriptions, making it one of northwestern Arabia's most significant centers of documented written heritage.Further research will focus on ceramics, animal remains, traditional water-management systems and other artifacts to deepen understanding of ancient diets, trade, production and everyday life.Dr. Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, RCU's Vice President of Culture, said the archaeological season would strengthen Saudi Arabia's contribution to international research while developing national expertise."AlUla and Khaybar continue to reveal the depth and diversity of north-west Arabia's human history," he said."Through sustained archaeological research, RCU is advancing knowledge of the region's ancient landscapes, routes, oases and kingdoms, while strengthening Saudi Arabia's contribution to global archaeological understanding."He added that the season would provide opportunities to develop Saudi talent and ensure archaeological findings contribute to the conservation and interpretation of AlUla's heritage.Dr. Rebecca Foote, RCU's Director of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Research, emphasized the importance of continuous archaeological investigation."Each season builds on the last, allowing us to refine our understanding of how people lived, adapted and interacted across these landscapes over thousands of years," she said.The program also includes training opportunities for Saudi university students, who will participate in excavations, laboratory research, specialist studies and digital documentation under the supervision of national and international experts.Community engagement initiatives will involve teachers, students, local heritage storytellers known as Rawis and rangers through site visits, museum activities and practical research experiences.RCU said discoveries from the archaeological missions would also inform exhibitions, cultural programs, heritage interpretation and visitor experiences, supporting its broader efforts to preserve AlUla's historical legacy and strengthen its position as an international center for archaeological research.
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