First AlUla World Archaeology Summit wraps up
Delegates
at
the
final
day
of
the
first
AlUla
World
Archaeology
Summit
participated
in
a
series
of
lively
discussions
on
the
future
of
archaeology
and
its
ability
to
enact
meaningful
change
for
society.
The
discussions
–
ranging
from
the
usefulness
of
ancient
wisdom
in
a
modern
context
to
digital
archaeology
and
inclusive
archaeology
–
reflected
the
ambition
of
the
summit.
With
its
four
broad
themes
of
identity,
ruinscapes,
resilience
and
accessibility,
the
summit
generated
interdisciplinary
conversations
that
moved
beyond
the
specialist
mindset
in
order
to
promote
archaeology
to
wider
audiences.
Abdulrahman
Alsuhaibani,
Executive
Director
of
Archaeology,
Conservation
and
Collections
at
the
Royal
Commission
for
AlUla
(RCU),
said:
“This
summit
was
exceptional.
It
was
unique.
We
discussed
topics
vital
to
the
future
of
archaeology
with
a
broader
perspective
–
and
I
hope
we
continue
the
discussion.”
Organised
by
RCU,
the
summit
included
327
attendees
from
39
countries,
80+
speakers,
50
youth
delegates
participating
in
the
Future
Forum,
representation
from
167
institutions
including
65
universities,
and
a
gender
ratio
of
47%
female
to
53%
male.
The
summit’s
final
day
featured
the
announcement
of
a
new
prize
for
young
archaeologists.
The
AlUla
World
Archaeology
Summit
Award
of
Excellence
is
to
be
awarded
at
future
summits
and
will
promote
the
science
of
archaeology,
Dr
Alsuhaibani
said.
More
details
will
be
announced
later.
The
summit
showcased
AlUla’s
position
as
a
hub
of
archaeological
activity.
RCU
is
sponsoring
one
of
the
world’s
largest
archaeological
research
programmes
across
AlUla
and
Khaybar,
with
12
current
surveys,
excavations
and
specialist
projects.
Rich
cultural
landscapes
are
being
revealed,
including
funerary
avenues,
mustatils,
ancient
cities,
inscriptions
in
10
languages,
rock
art
and
complex
agricultural
practices.
AlUla
is
the
site
of
Hegra,
which
in
2008
was
inscribed
as
Saudi
Arabia’s
first
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site.
The
summit
offered
delegates
a
platform
for
advancing
archaeology
and
cultural
heritage
management
in
their
interface
with
other
disciplines.
This
gathering
of
leaders
from
academia,
government,
non-government
organisations,
industry,
and
young
people
representing
the
next
generation
of
archaeologists
was
created
to
not
only
enrich
the
archaeological
community
and
help
protect
shared
history
but
also
to
open
up
a
larger
reflection
of
what
and
how
archaeology,
and
more
broadly
cultural
heritage,
can
contribute
to
transformational
changes
in
society.
The
summit’s
Future
Forum
provided
a
platform
for
young
people
to
engage
in
meaningful
dialogue
and
debate
about
the
future
of
archaeology.
It
offered
a
space
for
them
to
develop
their
own
perspectives
and
ideas
and
contribute
to
the
conversation
in
fundamental
ways.
