Soudah Peaks Rock Art Discovery Reveals 20 Ancient Engravings In Heritage Project

The Heritage Commission, working with Soudah Development, announces the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites in the Soudah Peaks area. Researchers say these locations contain some of the oldest known cultural features in the region. The discovery is part of ongoing archaeological work linked to wider heritage plans.

Experts report inscriptions and carvings estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 years old across the newly recorded sites. The finds offer fresh evidence of long-term settlement and movement in the highland zone. They also provide clearer context for understanding historic communities in south-west Saudi Arabia.

Recorded images include Thamudic inscriptions and detailed carvings of ibex, hyenas, and ostriches. Scenes show hunters, dancers, palm trees, and weapons, reflecting daily life and beliefs. These motifs indicate environmental conditions and social customs followed by earlier populations who once lived in the Soudah Peaks surroundings.

The project area covers more than 636.5 square kilometres across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa. This wide coverage helps specialists compare locations and identify clusters of important remains. The zone is now recognised as a significant landscape for ancient cultural landmarks, with evidence stretching across multiple valleys and slopes.

The survey results come under a memorandum of understanding between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development. Work followed four scientific stages, starting with data gathering and field analysis. The final stage involved documenting and classifying high-value archaeological sites to support future development and preservation programmes.

Soudah Development states that protection of natural and cultural heritage in the project area remains a priority. The company continues planning for an integrated cultural and tourism experience that presents the authenticity and historical depth of the region. These efforts are linked to long-term plans for Soudah Peaks.

With inputs from SPA