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The sands of AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia recently witnessed an unprecedented international gathering: The AlUla World Archaeology Summit. Powered by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the two-day event saw an impressive confluence of over 300 distinguished delegates from 39 countries, all congregating to deliberate on archaeology’s profound influence on today’s society and its potential for shaping a sustainable future.

Photos from Day 1 of AlUla World Archaeology Summit

Dr. Khaled Melliti of France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) captured the essence of the discourse when he emphasized the significance of self-awareness for archaeologists. He believes it’s paramount for researchers to recognize their identities while unearthing or studying ancient sites. This sentiment resonated with Prof. Emanuelle Papi, director of the Italian School of Archaeology at Athens, who affirmed, “Every age of archaeology mirrors the contemporary era.” He illustrated this by recounting how earlier Italian archaeologists, mesmerized by Rome’s imperial grandeur, often overlooked Byzantine, Middle Ages, and Renaissance artifacts.

These perspectives underscored the summit’s overarching ambition: fostering discussions that transcend traditional archaeological paradigms and establish deeper connections with broader communities. Emphasizing the importance of this connection, Lucy Semaan, the maritime archaeologist from the Honor Frost Foundation, shared her method of consulting local fishermen while investigating underwater sites. Their local knowledge, she observed, provides invaluable insights that bridge ancient narratives with present realities.

Photos from Day 1 of AlUla World Archaeology Summit

Similarly, Prof. Robert Hoyland from New York University reminisced about his expedition in Syria, where a local shopkeeper corrected his characterization of an excavation site, subtly underlining the interweaving of cultural identities throughout history.

RCU’s CEO, Amr AlMadani, kicked off the summit by accentuating the organization’s dedication to sustainable tourism with an intriguing stance: “Our project isn’t about leveraging heritage to attract visitors. It’s about leveraging visitors to sustain heritage.” This philosophy is central to the summit’s mission, which continued its exploration the following day, delving into themes of resilience and accessibility.

Guests at the summit also relished a special gala amidst the historic Daimumah oasis’s palm groves, where adventurer and writer Levison Wood invoked the spirit of iconic explorers like Ibn Battuta, Gertrude Bell, and Lawrence of Arabia, tying the summit’s quest to the age-old human drive for exploration and discovery.

AlUla’s rise as an epicentre for archaeological pursuits is only set to grow. The AlUla World Archaeology Summit, held between September 13-15, 2023, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, preserves shared history, and sparks transformative societal change through the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

For those intrigued by the myriad revelations and insights from this global archaeological rendezvous, further details can be found at the official summit website: https://www.worldarchaeologysummit.com.