September 15, 2023
3 mins read

AlUla Summit Explores Archaeology’s Cultural Impact

Indeed greater connection with local communities was cited as one way for archaeologists to avoid imposing their own worldviews on heritage…reports Asian Lite News

Delegates at the opening day of the inaugural AlUla World Archaeology Summit heard that archaeology has immense power to shape cultural identity and shared human experience – while archaeologists must also seek greater interconnection and avoid cultural bias.

Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the summit has drawn over 300 delegates from 39 countries to AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia for two days of wide-ranging discussions on archaeology’s role in stewarding heritage toward the enactment of meaningful change for society.

“Archaeologists should think of their own identities as well as those of the sites they are excavating or studying,” Dr Khaled Melliti, an historian and researcher with France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), said during a panel discussion.

“Every [era of] archaeology is a contemporary archaeology,” concurred Prof. Emanuelle Papi, director of the Italian School of Archaeology at 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 foundation of national identity. But in excavating Roman ruins, he said, archaeologists of that time would run roughshod over relics from the Middle Ages, Byzantine and Renaissance eras.

Similarly, Dr. Melliti noted that since Tunisia’s return to popular rule following the uprising of 2010-11, the perception of the country’s archaeological heritage has altered accordingly. In the aftermath of the uprising, he said, “We have discovered the existence of a republic beneath the Tunisian soil.”

Their comments reflected the ambition of the summit to generate new discussions that move beyond the specialist mindset and follow paths that connect archaeology to wider communities.

Indeed greater connection with local communities was cited as one way for archaeologists to avoid imposing their own worldviews on heritage.

For example Lucy Semaan, the Lebanon-based lead maritime archaeologist from the Honor Frost Foundation, said that while exploring an underwater site she will speak to local fishermen to learn where they fish and what names they use for various aquatic zones. This can prove useful in providing insights that connect the past to the present, she said.

And Prof. Robert Hoyland, professor of Late Antique and Early Islamic Middle Eastern History at New York University, told the story of his first working expedition as an archaeologist, in Syria. At one point he went into a shop and told the shopkeeper that he was excavating a Roman town. “No,” she corrected him, “you’re excavating an Arab town of the Roman period.”

Earlier in the day, Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU, welcomed the delegates to AlUla. Alternating between Arabic and English, he noted that RCU’s adherence to the principles of sustainable tourism benefits cultural heritage sites.

“Our project isn’t about leveraging heritage to attract visitors. It’s about leveraging 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 ruinscapes.

On Wednesday the summit’s guests attended a gala dinner outdoors amid palm groves at the ancient oasis of Daimumah. The 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 in the region, from Ibn Battuta to Gertrude Bell and Lawrence of Arabia.

ALSO READ-UAE fund backs Africa’s world heritage restoration projects

Previous Story

Crunchmoms Summit 2023: Empowering Women in the Middle East

Next Story

Apple To Fix Radiation Issue In France

Latest from Arab News

India Signals FTA with Oman

The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28….reports Asian Lite News Commerce and Industry Minister

Syria Strikes $7b Deal

The agreements, signed in the presence of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, mark a total investment of 7 billion U.S. dollars…reports Asian Lite News – Syria signed a series of memoranda of understanding

More Killings in Palestine

Israeli occupation forces opened fire directly at hundreds of civilians as they attempted to reach an aid distribution centre in the al-Mawasi area of western Rafah At least 31 Palestinians were killed

Hamas Open to Fresh Talks

The movement said that it is ready to “immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations” to address the outstanding issues…reports Asian Lite News Hamas affirmed its readiness to begin indirect negotiations over

UAE aid for Gaza in global focus

Titled Hope Remains, the documentary brings to light the UAE’s leading role in providing vital aid and support to the people of Gaza. The International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council has released a
Go toTop