Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla brings the rich heritage of the North Arabian kingdoms to China, showcasing rare artifacts and shared legacies with Henan’s ancient civilizations.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has unveiled a landmark exhibition in China, celebrating the vibrant history of the ancient North Arabian kingdoms and their enduring influence on regional and global heritage.

Held at the Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum in Henan province until January 5, the exhibition, “Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms,” forms part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year. It is jointly curated by the commission and the museum, reflecting a growing commitment to international cultural collaboration.

Visitors are invited to explore the civilizations of Dadan, Lihyan, and Nabataea, which once controlled vital caravan routes linking Arabia with Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. Centered around AlUla, these kingdoms left behind temples, tombs, inscriptions, and exquisite artworks that now offer insight into ancient trade, religion, and daily life.

The exhibition features more than 30 rare objects from AlUla, including 15 artifacts on public display for the first time. Highlights include a finely carved sandstone statue of a Lihyanite ruler from Dadan dating between the fifth and third centuries B.C., votive figurine fragments left by pilgrims at Umm Daraj and Jabal Dadan, and a remarkable 2,000-year-old Nabataean silk fragment from a monumental tomb. A silver “sela” coin from Petra, depicting Nabataean King Aretas IV and Queen Huldu, underscores the region’s rich economic and artistic heritage.

Complementing the Arabian collection, the exhibition also features 10 Chinese artifacts, including camel figurines, incense burners, and cosmetic items. These items draw meaningful parallels between AlUla and Henan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing shared legacies in trade, writing, and cultural exchange that date back to the first millennium B.C.

Although direct contact between the North Arabian kingdoms and ancient Chinese dynasties has not been definitively documented, organizers highlight that the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore interconnected histories of two civilizations that flourished at global crossroads.

“The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate how AlUla’s ancient kingdoms not only shaped Arabia’s cultural landscape but also contributed to a broader story of international exchange,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Commission for AlUla. “By sharing these treasures in China, we celebrate centuries of innovation, trade, and artistic achievement that resonate across cultures today.”

The exhibition has already attracted wide interest from historians, art enthusiasts, and the general public, offering an immersive journey through ancient societies that once bridged continents. Interactive displays and detailed storytelling bring the objects to life, providing educational insights for both adults and students.

Through initiatives like this, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen cultural ties with China and other nations, showcasing its commitment to preserving and sharing heritage on a global stage. AlUla’s ancient kingdoms, long celebrated for their strategic significance and artistic mastery, are now inspiring new generations worldwide.

As the exhibition continues through early 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of cultural exchange, fostering appreciation for the rich histories that connect distant lands and peoples across time.

The meeting reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving Islamic heritage and documenting the Kingdom’s significant contributions to the service of pilgrims throughout history.

The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive knowledge reference that records the historical evolution of the Two Holy Mosques, the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, and the Kingdom’s pivotal role in facilitating and enhancing these sacred practices.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the project also seeks to preserve and promote Islamic content, ensuring that the rich historical memory of the Kingdom is accessible to scholars, researchers, and the global Muslim community.

Initially launched as a scholarly resource titled the “Encyclopedia of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques,” the project has since expanded into a pioneering national initiative. It now encompasses a wide range of research, documentation, and educational activities designed to highlight key milestones in the Kingdom’s service to pilgrims, as well as the historical and cultural significance of the Two Holy Mosques.

During the recent meeting, the committee reviewed its agenda, including preparations for the “Historical Events in the Prophetic Biography: Perspectives on Investigation and Documentation Forum,” which will be held in Madinah in conjunction with the Umrah Forum.

The forum aims to bring together scholars, historians, and experts to explore, investigate, and document important historical events, ensuring that knowledge of the Prophetic era and the development of Hajj rituals is preserved for future generations.

In addition, the committee discussed plans to establish a permanent museum dedicated to the history of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques. This museum will serve as a cultural and educational hub, providing visitors with an immersive experience that highlights the Kingdom’s leadership in safeguarding Islamic heritage while fostering global understanding of the significance of the Two Holy Mosques.

The project represents a broader national effort to combine scholarly research, cultural preservation, and innovative initiatives to celebrate and document Saudi Arabia’s rich Islamic history. By investing in these initiatives, the Kingdom continues to strengthen its role as a custodian of Islamic heritage, while promoting awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the sacred sites and their historical significance across the world.

Experts believe the site provides valuable clues about the role of the Arabian Peninsula as a crossroads of ancient civilizations.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has announced a groundbreaking archeological discovery near Tabuk, shedding light on one of the oldest architectural settlements in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back over 10,000 years.

The settlement, located at the Masiyon site in the Kingdom’s northwest, has been identified as belonging to the pre-pottery Neolithic period, estimated at 10,300–11,000 years ago. Officials described it as not only the oldest settlement in Saudi Arabia but also among the earliest examples of human habitation worldwide.

Dr. Ajab Al-Otaibi, director general of the Heritage Commission’s antiquities sector, called the find a milestone in understanding human history. “This discovery highlights the pivotal role of the Arabian Peninsula in the emergence of human civilization,” he said.

The archeological excavations were conducted by the Heritage Commission in partnership with Japan’s Kanazawa University and in collaboration with NEOM. The project builds on decades of earlier surveys, as the site was first listed in the National Antiquities Register in 1978. However, it was not until recent studies in December 2022 that experts confirmed its significance as the earliest known human settlement in the region.

Over four excavation seasons, completed in May 2024, teams applied advanced methods, including stratigraphic documentation, artifact classification, and organic sample analysis to determine absolute dating. Their work revealed semi-circular granite structures resembling residential dwellings, passageways, hearths, and storage facilities, pointing to an organized community layout.

Evidence suggests that the inhabitants practiced hunting alongside early forms of grain cultivation, reflecting humanity’s transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies.

The discoveries extend beyond architecture. Archeologists uncovered stone tools such as grinding stones, knives, and arrowheads, alongside ceramics, agricultural implements, and decorative objects. Human and animal skeletons were also recovered, offering insight into burial practices and daily life. Notably, engraved stones with geometric patterns further suggest an emerging cultural and artistic identity.

Experts believe the site provides valuable clues about the role of the Arabian Peninsula as a crossroads of ancient civilizations. The findings reinforce theories that northwest Arabia formed a natural extension of Mesopotamia, the Levant, and southern Anatolia—regions historically known as the Fertile Crescent. This suggests that the Arabian Peninsula was central to humanity’s earliest experiments with permanent settlement, agriculture, and community building.

Saudi authorities have emphasized that the discovery is not only of national importance but also part of the Kingdom’s broader contribution to global heritage research. By uncovering such sites, the Kingdom seeks to highlight its position as a cradle of civilization and a hub of cultural dialogue.

The Ministry of Culture said the excavations demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving and documenting its archeological heritage while also opening new opportunities for cultural tourism. With projects such as NEOM nearby, officials hope that discoveries like Masiyon will draw international interest and further strengthen the Kingdom’s role in shaping global understanding of early human history.

As Dr. Al-Otaibi concluded: “The Masiyon site is not just a Saudi discovery—it is a chapter in the shared story of human civilization. It underscores that the Arabian Peninsula was not on the margins of history, but at its very heart.”