RIYADH: Experts and research specialists from GCC countries came together on Wednesday for the 23rd GCC Society for History and Archaeology Forum in Riyadh to promote the preservation of heritage and history.
“This is the 23rd edition of the Gulf Cooperation Council Society for History and Archaeology Forum, and Saudi Arabia has hosted multiple editions,” Dr. Ajab Al-Otaibi, director of the archaeological documentation and research department at the Heritage Authority, told Arab News.
The forum is held annually in a GCC host country, with Qatar holding the previous one.
“The GCC Society for History and Archaeology Forum is of great importance for two reasons. Firstly, it’s a large gathering of experts and specialists interested in heritage, cultural heritage and history, ancient history,” Al-Otaiabi said.
Secondly, the cohesiveness and historical unity between GCC nations and the long-term impacts of sharing research and discoveries come together at the forum.
“In the Gulf countries, we have common roots and role in civilization and culture, a unity in culture,” he said. “This forum adds comparison between these findings and studies of scientific research and excavation results.”
The two-day forum aims to explore areas of future cooperation between the participating nations in heritage, history and scientific research.
This year’s event is hosted in partnership with the Saudi Heritage Commission, King Abdulaziz Foundation, or Darah, and the GCC Society for History and Archaeology.
The forum delves into pre-historical and ancient milestones of the Arabian Peninsula as well as Islamic history and modern research discoveries.
During the panel sessions, experts took to the stage presenting their scientific research in history, culture and landmarks, both comparing and analyzing findings from each GCC country and planning how to cooperate further.
The heritage commission displayed multiple artifacts from their authority archives, including a bronze plaque with Musnad script, dated 2nd-3rd century CE, from Al-Faw village, south of Riyadh.
Another distinct artifact displayed included a bronze lion’s head, dated 2nd century CE, from Najran, and an engraved construction plaque from Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, dated 1300 AH/1882 CE, endowed by Sheik Ahmad Al-Sawl from Madinah.
The forum is part of the Heritage Authority’s series of cultural forums with the mission of preserving and developing the heritage sector of Saudi Arabia.
The authority is continuing its work in its various sectors that deal with world heritage, urban heritage, antiquities and handicrafts; to develop and preserve the Kingdom’s history.
