Royal Commission For AlUla Initiates 2025–2026 Archaeology Season To Enhance Research In AlUla And Khaybar

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has unveiled the 2025–2026 Archaeology Season, highlighting AlUla's significance as a centre for archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation. This initiative involves Saudi and international teams conducting extensive fieldwork in AlUla and Khaybar, aiming to position AlUla at the forefront of scientific and cultural exploration.

More than 100 researchers from esteemed institutions like King Saud University, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Ghent University, Spain’s Institute of Heritage Sciences (INCIPIT-CSIC), and Italy's ESTIA will participate. They will collaborate with Saudi experts in archaeology, environment, and digital heritage to study sites from the Neolithic era to the Islamic period.

Fieldwork will concentrate on major heritage sites such as Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Excavations there continue to provide new insights into Nabataean life and Roman influence. Research will also advance at Dadan, the ancient capital of Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms, where analysis of over 167,000 animal remains has offered rare details about daily life in the oasis over two millennia ago.

The programme encompasses a wide range of projects including excavations, field surveys, digital documentation, and sustainable conservation solutions. Advanced research in environmental studies, climate science, earth sciences, and anthropology is also part of this comprehensive initiative.

Projects include documenting ancient rock inscriptions among Arabia's largest concentrations. Studies of historic pilgrimage routes are being conducted to understand their cultural and religious importance. Investigations into early Islamic urban development in Khaybar oasis are also underway.

Specialist teams are returning to AlUla to further pioneering research into scientific conservation using cutting-edge global technologies. The new season builds on recent landmark discoveries such as stone mustatils — rectangular structures dating back 7,000 years — recognized as some of the earliest monumental ritual architecture globally.

Technological Advancements in Research

In Khaybar, excavations have uncovered a Bronze Age town with a vast rampart wall encircling the oasis. This reveals complex political and urban development. Drone and LiDAR surveys have illuminated intricate urban systems from the Islamic period.

At Qurh's historic city site, surveys have exposed an integrated network of markets, streets, a mosque, grand houses, and underground water channels. These findings underscore Qurh's regional significance as a vital node on trade and pilgrimage routes.

Training Future Archaeologists

Beyond research and discovery, the season includes field training programmes for archaeology students from Saudi and international universities. Using advanced tools like 3D documentation and drone surveys, these initiatives aim to equip a new generation of Saudi researchers with expertise for future exploration efforts.

In AlUla’s Old Town and cultural oasis, large-scale analytical studies — the most comprehensive in Saudi Arabia — have highlighted water management evolution while uncovering deeper settlement layers possibly tracing back to ancient kingdoms' era.

The RCU reaffirms its commitment to investing in knowledge development while strengthening cultural tourism through this season. Preparations are underway for international exhibitions and the Ancient Kingdoms Festival alongside progress towards establishing a dedicated research institute specializing in cultural heritage studies.

With inputs from SPA