Princes honored for donating antiquities

Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar, chairman of the province’s Tourism Development Council, honored the late Prince Sultan, Prince Sultan bin Salman, the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), and Council of Ministers member Prince Miteb bin Abdullah for presenting to SCTA national antiquity items.
Many other people were also honored yesterday for their roles in securing antiquities important to Saudi Arabia.
The event was organized within the framework of the campaign to restore antiquities directed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah last year.
Late Prince Sultan had donated to SCTA a valuable antique piece that dated to the 4th century BC. Prince Khaled handed the memento to honor the late prince to Prince Naif bin Sultan.
Prince Miteb was honored for donating precious antique items related to the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Prince Abdullah bin Miteb received the memento on behalf of Prince Miteb.
The artifacts included bronze works and silver coins belonging to the early centuries of the Gregorian calendar. They were collected by the prince over many years. Some of them resembled the finds at the Al-Fao Antiquity Village in the central part of the peninsula.
Prince Khaled honored Prince Sultan bin Salman for donating rare ancient coins to the campaign.
A number of citizens in Riyadh who also donated the antique items they possessed to the campaign over the past two years were honored at the function.
“People who have under their possession any of the Kingdom’s antiques should hand it over to the SCTA so that it could be preserved at places where the citizens and visitors can view the valuable heritage of the Kingdom,” Prince Khaled said.
Deputy Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah also attended the function.
Prince Sultan said the king and Crown Prince Salman have shown deep interest in restoring and preserving the country’s antiquities.
“An exhibition of restored national antiquities was organized in Riyadh coinciding with the 27th Janadriyah festival last year,” the prince said.
He added that 14,000 antique items were returned from foreign countries and 3,000 from the country.
Individuals who want to return any valuable piece can call toll free number 8007550000 or contact the Antiquities offices in various parts of the Kingdom or the SCTA website www.scta.gov.sa.