Saudi Archaeological Heritage Represented at its Doha Book Fair Pavillion

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Under the slogan “By Reading, We Rise”, it is receiving a great turnout from the visitors of the exhibition of various nationalities, to see the different and diverse aspects of Saudi culture and archaeological heritage.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi pavilion presents about 45 cultural and heritage activities, including seminars, workshops, dialogue sessions and panel discussions. In addition, the Kingdom’s pavilion also highlights collections of archaeological heritage, the Holy Qur’an and rare manuscript books, as well as reciting excerpts of pre-Islamic poetic commentaries in a dramatic manner that embodies the authenticity of the dialect and dress of the ancient Arab man.

The Kingdom Pavilion includes a copy of the entire “Holy Qur’an” copied in 30 sheets, each paper a part, by the writer Abdul-Baqi Jan Mohammad, with the finest refinement and gilding, dated since the 13^th century AH, and the original copy is preserved in the Library of the Noble Qur’an in King Abdul Aziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in Al-Medina Al-Munawarah.

Besides it includes a copy of the book “Al-Awael” by the author Abu Hilal Al-Hassan Al-Askari, dating back to the fourth century AH. The book, whose title describes its content, includes the history of “Al-Awael” in the Arabian Peninsula, and the original copy of the book is kept in the library of Sheikh Aref Hikmat in Al-Medina Al-Munawarh.

The pavilion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia displays a copy of the book “Al-Shifa by defining the Rights of the Chosen One” by the author Abu Al-Fadl Al-Qadi Ayyad bin Musa Al-Yahsabi, dating back to the eighth century AH. The original copy of the book is preserved in the library of Sheikh Aref Hikmat in Al-Medina AL-Munawarah.

The Saudi pavilion included a copy of the book “Al-Adhkar” by Imam Abu Zakariya Muhyiddin Yahya bin Sharaf Al-Nanawi, one of the most prominent jurists of his time. The book dates back to the seventh century AH, and it contains supplications and remembrances. The original copy of the book is kept in the Mahmudi Library in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah.

The pavilion also displays a copy of the book “The Comprehensive Points Between Knowledge and Beneficial Action in the Industry of Tricks”, by the author Abu Al-Ezz Ismail bin Al-Razzaz Al-Jazari, and it dates back to the twelfth century AH. The book, which took 25 years of study and research, contains the arts of crafting tricks (Arab mechanical engineering). The original copy of the book is preserved in the public library in Al-Madina Al-munawarah.

The pavilion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the 32^nd Doha International Book Fair highlights copied models of rare artifacts, including a founding inscription from the Noble Sanctuary of the Prophet, endowed by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sawy, dated 1300 AH / 1882 AD from Al-Madina Al-Munawarah.

Also, the exhibits included a bronze “Lion’s Head and Claw” dating back to the second century AD in the city of Najran, a “Funerary Mask” of pure gold dating back to the first century AD from the “Taj” site in the eastern region, and a limestone incense burner engraved with motifs, animal drawings and inscriptions. In the Musnad script, it dates back to the first century AD, in the village of Al-Faw, in the south of Riyadh.

The Saudi pavilion contains part of a colored “Wall Painting” of two people carrying a bunch of grapes, and in front of them is a man with wide eyes and a thin moustache, on which the name “RKK” is inscribed in the backhand line, dating back to the first and second centuries AD in the village of Al-Faw, in the south of Riyadh region. Also, the pavilion displays part of a statue of a human being. It is made of limestone dating back to the fourth millennium BC in Tabuk region, and a “Tomb Stone” on which human features from the fifth and fourth centuries BC were carved in Tayma, in Tabuk region.

Furthermore, the Saudi pavilion displays a variety of publications in Arabic and English on the heritage and antiquities of the Kingdom, including: “King Salman’s Urban Charter”, “Al-Dalila: Adventure Paths in the Middle Kingdom”, “Fashion in Ramadan from a Saudi View”, “Sculptures of the Al-Okhdood Site in Najran” and “ ‘Usfan and its Historical Well”, “Numbering Methodology in the Archaeological Excavations”, “Heritage Management and Preservation Organizations”, “Wall Paintings at the Al-Faw Site”, “South Dhahran Burials”, “Kunya and Nicknames on Islamic Coins in the Arabian Peninsula” and “Moose Traps”, and “Sadu Industry between the Past and the Present,” “Camel in the Ancient Art and History,” and “Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

It is worth mentioning that the Doha International Book Fair, which is held during the period from June 12 to 21, celebrates Saudi culture, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the guest of honor of the exhibition in its 32^nd  session, and more than 500 publishers from 37 countries participate in it.