Archeological Heritage

Saudi Arabia places a high value on historical preservation. Several restoration projects, including the restoration of historic buildings and neighborhoods, have been undertaken to conserve the Kingdom's architectural history. The Department of Museums and Antiquities, which excavates, catalogs, and maintains prehistoric and historic sites, is in charge of these programs.

The Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh also conducts important archaeological work. Dariyah, the historic residence of the Al-Saud dynasty and the capital of the First Saudi State, underwent a massive restoration project. Other projects include the historic sites of Fau, Madain Saleh, Al-Ula, Tayma, and Duma, as well as the pilgrimage path to Makkah, the Darb Zubaydah.

The Kingdom places a great priority on protecting its Islamic archaeological legacy as the birthplace of Islam. A great number of mosques throughout the Kingdom, notably the Holy Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and mosques built by the first caliphs following the Prophet Muhammad's death, have been meticulously rebuilt.