Format: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Paul Christians, Senior Cultural Heritage Research Manager, Royal Commission for Al-Ula, p.christians@rcu.gov.sa
Nour Munawar, Researcher, Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, n.a.munawar@uva.nl
Raghad Alqahtani, Cultural Heritage Research Senior Specialist, Royal Commission for Al-Ula, rs.alqahtani@rcu.gov.sa
Aljohara Almudarra, Archaeology Mentoring and Awareness Lead, Royal Commission for Al-Ula, a.almudarra@rcu.gov.sa
Archaeology and cultural heritage research in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) includes century-long intellectual traditions and practices as well as rapidly emergent new trajectories. Rather than reduce its importance, economic globalisation in part has driven a resurgence of regional interest—at multiple scales—in new negotiations of identity, tangible and intangible heritage conservation, past mastering, and culture-based development. These activities are diverse in mode and presentation but increasingly asserted to have deep value for economic and social transformation projects, especially in sub-regions such as the Arabian Peninsula.
This session presents interdisciplinary research on and rooted in the region to illustrate and interrogate the growth of new archaeologies and heritage projects across WANA. Within archaeological theory, nationalism remains the most entrenched interpretive paradigm for this phenomenon, yet elides analysis outside of the nation-state. And while decolonisation (metaphorical and literal) remains a rich arena of inquiry, important emic critiques note its shortcomings to understand the experiences of those involved. Instead, this session explores alternative theoretical lenses which help reveal these projects’ multivocal nature—and their limits—resulting from complex needs, rationales, and stakeholders at scales from sub- to super-national. By analysing the effects of these factors on archaeological projects and cultural policies; identifying alternative, autochthonous approaches to heritage; and examining related regional and international cooperation, we expect to contribute a deeper understanding of global archaeological practices and contemporary uses of heritage.
The co-conveners welcome additional paper abstracts in this sphere of interests, especially from scholars, practitioners, and early career researchers based in regional institutions and/or working on the WANA region.
Papers:
Unearthing Heritage: Skill and Expertise in the Making of the UAE’s Archaeological Pasts
Noora Jabir, New York University Abu Dhabi
In the UAE, most archaeological expeditions rely on South Asian labour for some of the hardest tasks during an excavation– however, their contributions remain ignored and are rarely acknowledged as archaeological work. This study examines the convergence of scientific expertise within archaeology and racialised notions of labour, skill and expertise in the UAE through an ethnographic study of an archaeological excavation at a prehistoric site in the country. It reveals how the convergence of archaeology as a scientific discipline and the particular historic and political context of South Asians in the UAE has enabled the erasure of this group, both from the construction of the UAE’s past and the final narrative of history and heritage that emerges from the archaeological process.
Documentary Heritage for Intercultural Dialogue: Insights from AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Nour Munawar, University of Amsterdam (UvA), the Netherlands
This research project investigates the role of AlUla’s documentary heritage as a catalyst for intercultural dialogue and sustainable development. Its primary objectives include enhancing the identification, preservation, accessibility, and awareness of AlUla’s documentary heritage, ensuring its enduring relevance for present and future generations.
Employing a mixed-methods approach to examine current management practices and community-driven initiatives, the research integrates case study analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) to engage local communities and heritage experts. The inclusion of local perspectives ensures that the research reflects the values and priorities of the community, fostering a sense of ownership and agency over their cultural heritage. Furthermore, the project champions gender equality, youth empowerment, and community participation, aligning with broader objectives of sustainable development and cultural preservation.
The findings offer actionable recommendations for innovative approaches to heritage management, emphasising the crucial role of community engagement in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. By highlighting the global significance of AlUla’s documentary heritage, this project contributes to the safeguarding of cultural memory, the promotion of the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arab region, and the cultivation of a more inclusive and tolerant global society.
Revisiting Nationalism in Archaeology: Histories of Practice and Sovereignty in the Arabian Gulf
Paul Christians, Cultural Heritage Research Senior Manager, Royal Commission for AlUla
Nationalism is deeply embedded as a theoretical lens to understand archaeologies of global majority nations. A four-decade old tradition, it remains a dominant interpretive mode for recent international scholarship on archaeology and cultural heritage in the Arabian Peninsula. This framework elides the complex lived reality of contemporary societies in the region. It is undergirded by a selective emphasis in causation, deeply rooted in North Atlantic intellectual lineages of political economy. Anthropological attention to this subject reveals a complex context as well as plural interests driving archaeology in Qatar and other GCC nations. To do so, this paper combines historical analysis of dominant practices in archaeology with ethnography of contemporary heritage productions. The diversity of influences and stakeholders creating these projects belie a stereotypical nationalism; ongoing struggles for sovereignty and recognition are critical motivations. In a period of renewed great power politics, moving beyond its limits contributes to decolonizing approaches to theory while bringing into focus heritage as a massive, dynamic phenomenon in the Arabian Peninsula—and its implications for plural archaeological practice. Despite recently renewed attention to fundamental and applied ethics in research, this project also reinforces the ongoing need for emic perspective and a critical anthropology of the West.
Analysis of Building Materials and Techniques in the Old Town of AlUla from the Perspective of Folklore and Archaeological Science
Aljohara Al-Mudarra, Archaeology Mentoring and Awareness Lead, Royal Commission for AlUla
The Old Town of AlUla, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a historically and culturally significant site. Its unique architectural heritage reflecting the resourcefulness of its inhabitants since at least the 14th c. CE to the 1970s. This ethnoarchaeological paper explores the building materials and construction techniques used in Al-Ula from two complementary perspectives: folklore and archaeological laboratory analysis. It first investigates the traditional knowledge embedded in local folklore, examining stories, cultural beliefs, and practices that have shaped construction methods and material choices throughout history. It then utilises archaeological laboratory analyses, such as material composition studies, radiocarbon dating, and structural assessments, to scientifically evaluate the properties and origins of the materials used in AlUla’s buildings. Integrating traditional practices with modern science ensures a holistic approach to preserving AlUla’s heritage, blending cultural wisdom with contemporary technology to enrich our understanding of material choices and construction techniques. Practically, it provides a more sustainable and culturally sensitive strategy for conservation. Without it, there’s a risk of losing valuable knowledge or misapplying methods, compromising authenticity. The study aims to contribute to a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural context of the Old Town while offering insights into sustainable conservation strategies.
The Cubic Shape of First Millennium Incense Burners in the Arabian Peninsula: A Miniature Architectural Reflection of the Temple Form
Raghad Safar Alqahtani, King Sand University, Saudi Arabia
This study examines the relationship between the cubic shape of archaeological incense burners in the Arabian Peninsula and the temples of the ancient Arabian kingdoms (1000 BCE – 500 CE). Incense burners are among the most significant archaeological artefacts, providing valuable historical and cultural insights. These objects were produced in various shapes and sizes; however, the dominant form in the Arabian Peninsula is the small, cubic-shaped incense burner which ranges in length from 3 cm to 20 cm.
This research aims to show that cubic incense burners are not merely functional tools but also miniature architectural models reflecting the typical form of temples. The study employs an archaeological approach to examine incense burners found in temples, houses, and burial sites, to compare their formal characteristics with architectural elements of temples in the same place.
Additionally, the research explores the symbolic meanings of this shape and its potential association with religious rituals and beliefs in ancient Arabian life. Analysing artistic and structural patterns highlights the extent to which the makers of these incense burners were influenced by large-scale architectural designs. This suggests that these objects may have played a role in preserving religious beliefs or symbolising temples in smaller-scale ritual practices.
AlMuazzam Fort: History, Conflict, and Conservation
Dr Dania Keyrouz, International Project Officer, Wessex Archaeology, UK
Built in 1621–1622 CE in a strategic position along the Syrian Hajj Road in north western Saudi Arabia, AlMuazzam Fort was part of a broader project to secure pilgrimage routes during the Ottoman period between 1517 and 1918 CE. The Fort faced resistance from local Arab tribes who attempted to destroy it. Following multiple abandonment periods, it was largely neglected until recent conservation efforts. This talk will describe the work that Wessex Archaeology carried out in collaboration with The Royal Commission for AlUla and Heritage Conservation Consulting as part of the AlMuazzam Fort Conservation Project. It explores the construction and the history of the Fort and the surrounding pits as a contested space. The conservation project involved the combination of archaeological evidence and historical accounts. The work of Wessex Archaeology revealed the presence of four distinct phases of modification due to conflicts and disagreements between the Ottoman Empire’s ambitions and local Arab tribes. These findings highlight the Fort’s evolving role as both a strategic outpost and a site of resistance.
Remembering Tadmor: Exploring the Use of Digital Conservation After Destruction
Lindsay Der, Honorary Research Associate, Dept of Anthropology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Manzura Hoque, PhD Student, Dept of English Language and Literatures, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Jordanna Marshall, MA Student, Dept of Anthropology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Digitally reconstructed negative heritage sites, defined as places of trauma eliciting negative memory in the collective consciousness, are entrenched in an array of local and universal ideas of the human past. These reconstructions simultaneously enact contemporary and past imaginaries. This paper shares the results of research evaluating the case study of the 3D reproduction of the Triumphal Arch of Palmyra. A foreign intervention, this reproduction was purported to preserve Syrian cultural heritage after its destruction at the hands of DAESH. This paper discusses the reactions, desires and opinions of Syrian diaspora communities in Canada. Data collected comes from interviews conducted with members of these communities. How do these kinds of digitally engineered interventions into negative heritage alter the very pasts they seek to preserve and how do they reflect the actors involved? What narratives do these reconstructions embody? To whom and for whom do they speak? In exploring these questions, this paper will examine the societal impact of such reproductions and how they are experienced by different stakeholders.
The Recovery of Mosul Cultural Heritage
Layla Salih, Iraqi Ministry of Culture, State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, Iraq-Mosul
Mosul city, north of Iraq, after the disaster 2014-2017, this paper will shed the light on the lessons learned as a results of the crisis and how the crisis play a positive role of restoration and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
The crisis became the reason of capacity development of the archaeologists and new skills, in addition to helping to shed light on various subjects relevant to cultural heritage. During the paper I will to explain all details related to the following topics:
- Community and youth involvement in heritage recovery.
- Restoration.
- Resettlement.
- Different practice and solutions.
- International support.
In addition to other topics which can be related indirectly to protecting the cultural heritage in Mosul.