Al-Faw Becomes Saudi Arabia's Eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site

Al-Faw: Saudi Arabia continues to captivate with its array of remarkable sites, and now, a new gem has been added to its list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site which is located in Riyadh, has been officially recognized as the Kingdom’s eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Al-Faw – A Historical Jewel in Riyadh

Situated in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, nestled between the vast Empty Quarter and the Tuwaiq mountain range. This historic site was once a crucial hub along ancient trading routes. Archaeological evidence suggests that Al-Faw was abandoned around the fifth century CE and has been inhabited by three distinct civilizations over its history.

Discoveries and Significance

Excavations at Al-Faw have unearthed approximately 12,000 artifacts, including tools from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Noteworthy finds also include ancient rock carvings and an early water management system, highlighting the site’s significance in understanding ancient technological and cultural advancements.

Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO Heritage Sites

With the addition of Al-Faw, Saudi Arabia now boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Al-Ahsa Oasis, Hufuf
Hegra in AlUla
Hima Cultural Area, Hima
Historic Jeddah
Rock Art in Hail
Turaif in Riyadh
Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve
Al-Faw

About UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO’s mission is to identify, protect, and preserve cultural and natural heritage sites of global significance. Established by the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972, UNESCO’s World Heritage List aims to safeguard these treasures for future generations.

The 46th UNESCO World Heritage Site meeting recently took place in New Delhi, India, where four new Middle Eastern sites were added to the list. These include:

Umm Al-Jimal Village, Jordan: Dating back to the Nabataean period (1st century BCE to 2nd century CE).
Hegmataneh, Iran: Also known as Ecbatana, the capital of the ancient Median Empire.
Tell Umm Amer, Gaza: Added on an emergency basis due to ongoing conflict in the region.

Learn More

For further information about Al-Faw and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit UNESCO’s official website.

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