World Heritage Identification Number: 1712
World Heritage since: 2024
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
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Exploring the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area: A Journey Through Time
The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, offers a captivating glimpse into the rich history and cultural evolution of the Arabian Peninsula. Situated approximately 100 kilometers south of Wadi ad-Dawasir and 700 kilometers southwest of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, this archaeological site serves as a testament to the adaptability and resilience of human societies over time.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Lying at a strategic point of the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, the property was abruptly abandoned around the 5th century CE. Nearly 12,000 archaeological remains have been found, spanning from prehistoric times to the Late pre-Islamic era, testifying to the successive occupation of three different populations and their adaptation to the evolving environmental conditions. Archaeological features include the Palaeolithic and Neolithic tools of early people, tapered structures, cairns and circular constructions, the sacred mountain of Khashm Qaryah, rock carvings, funerary tumuli and cairns in the valley, forts/caravanserai, the oasis and its ancient water management system, and the vestiges of the city of Qaryat al-Faw.
Encyclopedia Record: Qaryat al-Faw
Qaryat Al Faw, also known as Qaryat Dhat Kahil, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Kinda, now an archaeological site. It is located about 100 km south of Wadi ad-Dawasir, and about 700 km southwest of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The archeological site reveals various features such as residential houses, markets, roads, cemeteries, temples, and water wells.Additional Site Details
Area: 4,847.73 hectares
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 19.7649166667 , 45.1633888889
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© Heritage Commission , CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
