Unveiling Saudi Arabia's Enigmatic Secrets: Unraveling Animal Sacrifices and Celestial Mausoleums

What occurs when hundreds of archaeologists gather in a "glass box" in the desert?

It's a peculiar inquiry, but this peculiar event unfolded last week as experts from around the globe congregated in the glistening, mirror-clad Maraya cultural center near the historic oasis town of AlUla in Saudi Arabia for the first-ever World Archaeological Summit.

The event resulted in providing new insights into the ancient mysteries being discovered in Saudi Arabia. With the country investing billions of dollars to unveil its long-hidden past to global tourism, the conference, initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, and sponsored by the Royal Commission of AlUla, took a unique approach by hosting discussion panels instead of academic papers. Furthermore, the conference welcomed a diverse group of archaeological experts.

The goal, to some extent, was to assist in charting Saudi Arabia's journey towards sustainable heritage tourism.

Many attendees approached the event with caution, unsure of what to anticipate in a country known for its combination of shocking brutality and rapid reform. It is safe to say that they were not bored. "We were not prepared for such engaging discussions, and I don't believe the organizers were either," a participant shared with me.

Ancient discoveries

Hall of mirrors: The Maraya cultural center.

Fabian von Poser/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

An unconventional gathering was just one aspect of the attraction. Distinguished scholars were provided with exclusive entry to a treasure trove of ancient findings that, until recent times, had remained unexplored by all but a select few ardent enthusiasts on the less traveled path of archaeology.

For MBS, archaeology serves as both a personal devotion and a means to fulfill his vision of expanding the Saudi economy by attracting tourists to indulge in heritage sites complemented by upscale resorts.

Saudi Arabia is utilizing the development of the AlUla oasis, the exploration of various sites, and the opening of ancient Nabatean grave complexes in Hegra to not only reverse years of cultural isolation but also to marginalize conservative Islamist minorities who criticize these sites as un-Islamic. This effort has led to the fascinating unearthing of ancient discoveries.

The high-speed train whizzes through the Saudi desert, revealing new mysteries and conundrums at every turn. One such enigma is the mesmerizing arrangement of colossal Nabatean tombs intricately carved into the breathtaking sandstone cliffs.

Archaeologist Adam Ford, commissioned by the Royal Commission for AlUla, accompanied me to observe the graves at a closer distance.

He asserts that these graves seem to be strategically aligned with the movements of the sun and the moon, specifically during the solstice periods, potentially serving as an indication of the changing seasons.

Ford, a friendly teacher with the weathered appearance of a field archaeologist, breathes life into our exploration by revealing the presence of up to 10 ancient languages from North Africa in this very site.

Worlds oldest animal sacrifices?

Inside a Nabataean tomb at Hegra.

Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis/Getty Images

Archaeological evidence suggests that humans inhabited this area over 200,000 years ago, indicating their migration from Africa through the Sinai Peninsula. The direction they took was towards the south, leading them to the Arabian Peninsula, which is what we now know as Saudi Arabia.

According to the archaeologist, each new discovery has the potential to enhance our understanding. For instance, the recent finding of an ancient silk fragment demonstrates that trade routes extended as far south as India or the Far East.

"We are currently conducting tests on the fragment," he confirms.

With newfound and extraordinary access to the ancient marvels of AlUla, they persist in their quest to uncover the enigma behind the alignment of Nabatean graves, and its potential correlation to celestial observations or celestial phenomena.

Ford reveals that a recent visit by a researcher from the Canary Islands has provided fresh and unprocessed data on the stars. This data is still being analyzed and processed by the researcher.

Potential headline: Unveiling the Potential of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Coast as a Prominent Luxury Tourism Hotspot

One recent finding is believed to be among the oldest animal sacrifice sites in the world. Despite the clear evidence of numerous animal remains, this discovery remains a source of great mystery, as explained by Jonathan Wilson, the RCUs collection and knowledge manager.

Inside the newly renovated AlUla Museum, located at the RCUs new headquarters, Wilson opens a large drawer in the crowded artifact storage room and gently retrieves a transparent plastic bag. Inside the bag, there is a remarkably large, yellowed horn-like object.

"Aurochs," he states, "a former precursor to modern-day domesticated cattle, of significant size."

While the carbon dating of cooking charcoal discovered in close proximity precisely establishes the site's age as 5,200 B.C.E., Wilson raises the perplexing question of why solely the upper section of the animal's skull along with its horns were uncovered.

The remaining fraction was rejected.

It's unimaginable how cows could not only endure but also flourish in the scorching desert of modern-day Saudi Arabia. Ford suggests that the environment used to be more verdant, with increased rainfall. However, the reason behind this phenomenon remains a puzzling mystery.

Amazing archaeology

Archaeologists are still unraveling the mysteries of many new discoveries.

Ahmed Yosri/Reuters

The mission of the RCU is to assist archaeologists in Saudi Arabia in regularly addressing and resolving the complex challenges presented by the desert. Additionally, they aim to effectively expand their operations and enhance their expertise in a sustainable manner.

Wilson retrieves a damaged six-inch figurine from another drawer, which is of a dark ochre color and may have served as a form of offering.

He is referring to the Dadenites, the ancient traders who once controlled the incense and spice routes in AlUla. However, after the Nabateans rose to power in mysterious circumstances, the Dadenites were taken to a mountain, crushed, and abandoned there. Nobody ever returned to that place, he adds.

As RCU operations grow Wilson hopes its experts will learn more, including why the figurines were smashed.

The head of a smashed figurine found near AlUla.

Nic Robertson/CNN

The shimmering mirrored building that vanishes into the desert

Each season, Wilson says he gets about 700 cases of artifacts from archeological digs run by the RCU.

The number of items in each crate can range from one to 600, according to him. The sorting process is conducted based on their significance, with the objective of showcasing a wide range of these valuable discoveries.

Coins, according to him, provide significant insights into the ancient civilizations that once inhabited AlUla. The Nabateans, for instance, depicted the heads of their kings on their coins, making it highly beneficial for tracing dynastic eras.

The Dadenites did not do so. According to Wilson, they engaged in the production of Greek coins due to their higher value compared to their own currency.

Ford, an experienced archaeologist with extensive fieldwork across various continents, expresses awe at the remarkable surroundings near AlUla and Hegra.

"Some of the most amazing archaeology in the world," he says.

Connected civilizations

Archaeologists say the Nabatean tombs at Hegra may have been orientated to align with stars or the solstice.

Fabian von Poser/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

Old assumptions, Ford says, are being ripped apart.

Previously, we believed that civilizations were not as sophisticated and interconnected. However, the findings in AlUla indicate that the ancient world had much stronger connections than we originally thought.

Interestingly, the archaeological summit overwhelmingly concluded that interconnectivity was a key observation. Attendees seemed to thoroughly enjoy engaging in conversations beyond their specific fields, discovering shared interests and occasionally even rivalries within their profession.

I participated in the summit as a moderator for several discussion panels, where conversations occasionally became heated. Controversial topics centered around the influence of archaeology on identity and the obligation of governments and archaeologists to present discoveries accurately and transparently.

The preservation of ancient artifacts from destruction or deterioration also sparked animated discussions. Participants recognized the importance of finding the right balance between government requirements and actively involving local communities, allowing them to become custodians in a manner consistent with their own cultural values.

The conversations throughout the two-day event made it evident that there is no simple solution or universal approach.

However, taking into account the insights gained from the summit within Marayas' enclosed walls, the growth of Saudi Arabia's archaeological sector will receive a significant uplift.