Ancient inscriptions found in Saudi Arabia

Over 13 types of inscriptions discovered in Saudi Arabia by the Archaeological Research Department have proved to be a baton to the history of ancient civilizations, rooted back to centuries.

The lead researcher, Dr. Sulaiman Al Thiaeb, stated that the method of carving rocks to communicate the agreements or any indorsed activities amongst tribes has been in existence since ancient times, which later became a compositional expression throughout various civilizations.

Texts were lines or drawings initially before developing into signs, symbols and syllables. Dr. Salma Hawsawi, professor of ancient history at King Saud University, remarked that most of these scripts were mirroring the emotional circumstances of the individual and social life such as conflict, love, longing, sadness and happiness during those times.

The inscriptions are in various scripts, verses and anonymous codes in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, ancient Egyptian script, Babylonian script, ancient Arabic. The oldest and most attractive of these are the writing sculptors of the Samud civilization, which was carved on the huge rocks of 1200 B.C. Most of their inscriptions were found in the deserts of Al-Ula, Najran, Tayma and Al-Jouf alongside the main commercial trade routes which existed back then.

Another valuable contribution was the Aramaic civilization that lived in 1000 B.C and most of their inscriptions were unveiled in the desert areas of Al-Ula. The civilization was later taken over by the Nabatean civilizations, as inferred by the historical relics or carvings of the Nabati, Dadanite, Lihyanite and Sabaean civilizations found in the regions.

Several historians and archaeologists from foreign countries such as Germany, France, Britain, the United States, Canada and Japan are conducting their research apart from indigenous research, according to Dr. Sulaiman.

Researches are underway in the UNESCO-recognized regions of Hail and Mada'in Salih (Hegra). Saudi Arabia, which constitutes 70 percent of the Arabian Peninsula, is considered cradle of the ancient civilization and treasure of stone age scripts by the International historiographers.