“The SCTA is making quantum leaps in the antiquities and museums sector including carrying out large excavation works throughout the Kingdom, in addition to establishing a number of new museums in various parts of the country in line with increased numbers of archaeological discoveries,” he said.

Prince Sultan highlighted SCTA’s efforts to excavate antiquities in various parts of the country, protecting them in collaboration with the relevant authorities and in accordance with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

“The results of recent excavations show that taking care of horses has been an old tradition inherited by Muslims from their forefathers. It is no wonder that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Caliphs special areas had been allocated for breeding and rearing horses,” the prince said.

He highlighted the important archaeological discovery at Al-Magar site, where recent excavations revealed the domestication of horses in the Arabian Peninsula 9,000 years ago.

This significant finding, which included a number of artifacts that indicated the site was the oldest place in the world where men had domesticated horses, was presented to King Abdullah.

The site also had evidence of cultural activities carried out by the inhabitants of the region during the Neolithic Age.

Commenting on this important finding, King Abdullah expressed his satisfaction and commended SCTA’s continuous efforts to reveal and protect the Kingdom’s antiquities and directed the commission to publish the results of the excavation works that proved the Arabian Peninsula had set a precedent in the domestication of horses on national and international levels.

Prince Sultan expressed his appreciation and gratitude to King Abdullah for his personal interest in the preservation of the Kingdom’s antiquities, adding that the new discoveries reflected once again the historic and cultural importance of Saudi Arabia.

Ali Al-Ghabban, vice president of SCTA for antiquities and museums and the head of the excavation team in Al-Magar, said the commission began excavations at the site after receiving information about the area from a citizen last year. He added Saudi and international experts took part in the excavation.

Al-Magar site is located in an area between the municipalities of Tathleeth and Wadi Al-Dawasir, about 120 km from Wadi Al-Dawasir. On March 2010, the SCTA started site survey and exploration.

Archaeological finds are spread all over the site's surface including arrowheads and precisely made stone scrapers similar to those used during the Neolithic period. Several statues of domesticated animals found on the site were believed to be part of inhabitants' daily life. They included statues of horses, sheep, goats, Saluki dogs, ostriches, falcons and fish.

Al-Ghabban added that DNA and C-14 tests proved that the artifacts found during the excavation were 9,000 years old. He said the team found 80 valuable artifacts from the area, while previous excavations referred to Asia as the first place where man had domesticated horses 5,500 years ago. Due to the importance of this discovery, these rare artifacts will soon be displayed across the globe, in Europe and the US.