Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission, established in 1978, holds a significant role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the nation. Over the years, the Commission has played a pivotal role in safeguarding historical sites, artifacts, and traditions that reflect the country's deep-rooted history and diverse heritage. In the late 1970s, Saudi Arabia recognized the pressing need to protect its cultural treasures from modernization and potential destruction. Consequently, the Saudi Arabian Government took proactive measures and created the Heritage Commission as a specialized entity devoted to the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the country's cultural heritage.
Recently, Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has launched an important project to protect and restore the country's historical sites, following the identification of damages by specialized teams. Bader Al-Shammari, the professional in charge of the restoration of archaeological sites at the Heritage Commission, explained that the project involves working at various locations on artifacts like pottery, minerals, and coins. They will also be removing graffiti and other markings from these precious sites.
Al-Shammari highlighted the Commission's efforts in preserving our cultural and heritage sites using advanced scientific methods, which go hand in hand with the process of excavating these locations. He emphasized the primary goal is not to change or improve the artifacts but to preserve their originality and ensure they last for future generations, using safe materials and techniques.
Each artifact will receive individualized attention at laboratories, where experts will develop a unique plan to restore and preserve it properly. For metallic objects, they will use special tools like electrolysis devices to remove rust without causing damage.
Similarly, pottery pieces will be carefully cleaned to remove dust and residues, and broken fragments will be repaired with great care. The team will follow a step-by-step approach to remove graffiti, including thorough documentation and using specific chemicals tailored to each case.
The restoration process also involves experimenting with modern techniques like lasers to remove graffiti from engravings and monuments. Moreover, they are using ultraviolet rays to remove colors from engravings found in different areas.
By utilizing advanced laser devices, the Heritage Commission aims to safeguard the inscriptions and engravings while preserving their historical significance. This undertaking reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to cherish its rich cultural heritage, ensuring it remains a lasting legacy for generations to come.
