The First AlUla World Archeology Summit brings together more than 300 delegates from 39 countries for a wide-ranging debate on the role of archeology in society
AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Delegates at the opening day of the AlUla World Archeology Summit heard that archeology has immense power to shape cultural identity and the shared human experience, while archaeologists must also seek greater interconnectedness and avoid cultural biases.
Organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the summit has attracted more than 300 delegates from 39 countries to AlUla, northwest Saudi Arabia, for two days of wide-ranging discussions on the role of archeology in heritage management towards the enactment of significant changes for society.
“Archaeologists should think about their own identities, as well as those of the sites they are excavating or studying,” said Dr. Khaled Melliti, a historian and researcher at France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), during a panel discussion.
“Every [era of] archeology is a contemporary archaeology,” agreed Professor Emanuelle Papi, director of the Italian School of Archeology in Athens, in which people see the past “with the eyes of their own time.”
For example, he noted, there was a time in Italy when the glories of Rome’s imperial era were at the basis of national identity. But when excavating Roman ruins, he said, archaeologists of that era would overlook relics from the Middle Ages, Byzantines and the Renaissance.
Similarly, Dr Melliti noted that since Tunisia’s return to popular rule following the 2010-11 uprising, the perception of the country’s archaeological heritage has changed accordingly. After the uprising, he said: “We have discovered the existence of a republic under Tunisian soil.”
His comments reflected the summit’s ambition to generate new discussions that go beyond specialized mindsets and follow paths that connect archeology to broader communities.
Indeed, greater connection with local communities was cited as a way for archaeologists to avoid imposing their own worldviews on heritage.
For example, Lucy Semaan, the lead maritime archaeologist at the Lebanon-based Honor Frost Foundation, said that while exploring an underwater site she will talk to local fishermen to find out where they fish and what names they use for different water areas. This can be useful in providing insights that connect the past to the present, she said.
And Professor Robert Hoyland, professor of the history of late antiquity and the early Islamic Middle East at New York University, told the story of his first working expedition as an archaeologist in Syria. At one point he entered a shop and told the merchant that he was excavating a Roman city. “No,” she corrected him, “you’re excavating an Arab city from Roman times.”
Earlier in the day, Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU, welcomed the delegates to AlUla. Alternating between Arabic and English, he noted that the RCU’s adherence to the principles of sustainable tourism benefits cultural heritage sites.
“Our project is not about harnessing heritage to attract visitors. It’s about harnessing visitors to sustain heritage,” he said.
The summit continues tomorrow with a focus on resilience and accessibility, complementing the first day’s focus on identity and ruined landscapes.
On Wednesday, summit guests attended an open-air gala dinner among palm groves at the ancient oasis of Daimumah. Adventurer and writer Levison Wood observed in a speech that the summit is a journey of exploration and extends the tradition of other explorers and pioneers of the region, from Ibn Battuta to Gertrude Bell and Lawrence of Arabia.
AlUla World Archeology Summit
AlUla’s position as a center of archaeological activity continues to expand as RCU hosts the inaugural AlUla World Archeology Summit taking place from 13 to 15 September 2023.
The summit is a platform to promote archeology and cultural heritage management at its interface with other disciplines. This gathering of leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organisations, industry and young people who represent the next generation of archaeologists will not only enrich the archaeological community and help protect shared history, but will also open up broader reflection on what and how archaeology, and, more broadly, cultural heritage, can contribute to transformative changes in society.
For more information about the summit, visit https://www.worldarchaeologysummit.com
Contact information
For media inquiries please contact publicrelations@rcu.gov.sa
About the AlUla Royal Commission
The AlUla Royal Commission (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of exceptional natural and cultural importance in northwest Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the natural and historical heritage of the area while establishing AlUla as a desirable place to live, work and visit. This encompasses a wide range of initiatives in archaeology, tourism, culture, education and the arts, reflecting the commitment to meeting the priorities of economic diversification, empowerment of local communities and heritage preservation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme. .
Contact: Jinith Joy, Jinith.Joy@hkstrategies.com; 971 50 721 9369
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