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The importance of
archaeology is vital to a nation. Through the study of ancient remains and artifacts,
much new light can be shed on the history of earlier civilizations.
Archeological evidence indicates that man lived in different
regions of Saudi Arabia since PREHISTORIC times. The
prehistoric of Qaryat Al Fau in Saudi Arabia, for example,
covers the PALEOLITHIC, MESOLITHIC and NEOLITHIC periods.
The most ancient times of Al Fau also include the
PROTOHISTORIC era, a period, which immediately precedes the
invention of writing.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies a special position and importance for
archaeologists because of the enormous range and diversity of its historical and
pre-historical sites. These represent, in all their considerable variety, the
civilizations which have inhabited, been influenced by, or have touched on the
Arabian Peninsula throughout its long history. The remains of Dedan, near Al-Ula,
the monumental structures at Madain Salih, and the extensive ruins of Qaryat Al-Fau
on the northern fringes of the Empty Quarter are all well known.
This page is a journey through a few of the Kingdom's archaeological sites and
will be updated with more of the Kingdom's ancient history.
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Mada'in Salih (earlier known as Al-Hijr), about 1,111 km west-northwest of Riyadh and about 402 km northwest of Madinah, is one of the not-to-be-missed historical wonders in Saudi Arabia (and unsurprisingly of the whole world). Mada'in Salih occupies a strategic
position on the ancient spice road.
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Situated in Wadi Hanifah, The Old
Diriyyah Palace, 30 kms north of Riyadh, has a key role in the history
of Saudi Arabia. Diriyyah is the symbol of Saudi Arabia's history,
culture and traditional architecture. It was the seat
of the first government of Saudi Arabia of King Abdul Aziz bin Saud (or Ibn Saud).
For over three centuries, Diriyyah was the ruling center of the family of al-Saud.
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Hijaz Railway was built by approximately 5,000 Turkish soldiers, and a German engineer, Meissner Pasha. It was opened throughout in September 1908. The well preserved Railway workshop, stations, engine and rolling stock can still be seen in Mada'in Salih which was an important depot of Hijaz Railway.
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Tarout is a small island in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Qatif
oasis. Portuguese was said to be ruled the island of Tarout for a short period. The remnants in the island speak of the ancient history of Tarout.
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Qasr Ma'arid (Ma'arid Castle) is the prime site of
historical importance in Dumat Al Jandal. It is a huge
structure built of rough stone and mortar construction technique. It
has four slender corner towers. Archaeological study shows that the
foundations of Qasr Ma'arid go back to the period of Nabataens in
the first century AD.
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