Never before had people in North American found a greater way to immerse in the fascinating and rich past of Saudi Arabia. Artifacts dating back to millions of year, some recently excavated, are put on display at a groundbreaking new exhibition at Washington’s famed Smithsonian Institute – some 300 archaeological findings in all.
‘Roads of Arabia: Archaeological and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’ tells the story of the unfamiliar past of the Arabian Peninsula, exploring the legacy of the time, including the ancient trade routes that crisscrossed the region and early pilgrimage roads.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, which is a joint organizer of the show along with the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, explains that the relics cover many historic periods starting from the ancient Stone Age till the Saudi Renaissance. This long period includes the Stone Age, the Slave Age, the Delmon period, early middle and late Arabian kingdoms, the prophetic age, the Umayyad, Abbasids, middle and late Islamic period and lastly the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – followed by significant progress and prosperity in various spheres of life, especially in the service of the Two Holy Mosques.
‘Roads of Arabia’ is divided into three sections The largest section reveals the network of oases that linked the caravan trails that traversed the peninsula; the second part of the exhibition is dedicated to Makkah; while the third is about the founding of present-day Saudi Arabia. Many of the artifacts were discovered during recent archeological expeditions, ranging in date from the Paleolithic Age to the Saudi State Age.
Fascinating sandstone figures of a larger-than-life male, excavated in Saudi Arabia’s northwest region of Al-Ula, depict an era of regality and valor, when men folk were symbols of protection and security. Eye-catching household utensils and glassware speak of the elegant workmanship of the times, and heavily-studded jewelry and metal statues reveal a rich culture and active trade among ancient societies.
Anthropomorphic Stele, 4th millennium BCE, dates back to some 6,000 years. The organizers describe it as among the earliest known works of art from the Arabian Peninsula. Found near Hail in the north, the figure’s distinctive belted robe and double-bladed sword may have been unique to this region.
Another exhibit, Part of a Horse, attributed to ca. 7000 BCE, is a recently discovered fragment of a member of the horse family. Fine markings around the muzzle and shoulder hint at an early bridle. Some archaeologists have dated it to approximately 7000 BCE and have proposed that the domestication of the horse may have occurred far earlier than 3500 BCE in Central Asia.
Funerary Mask, 1st century CE, was found in 1998 when Saudi archaeologists stumbled upon a magnificent royal tomb outside Thaj, a city in northeastern Arabia. Datable to the first century CE, it belonged to a young girl, whose body was covered with gold, rubies, and pearls. The funerary objects buried with her were decorated with Hellenistic motifs, which, the exhibition organizers say, must have been imported. The use of a gold funerary mask was probably also inspired by Hellenistic practices and further affirms Thaj’s contacts with the Mediterranean world and familiarity with its customs and traditions.
Head of a Man, 1st century BCE-2nd century CE, is a bronze head originally part of a life-sized statue. Although partially damaged, the face is visibly treated in a Greco-Roman style, while the thick curls are typical of local workmanship. During the first and second centuries CE, southern Arabia enjoyed strong commercial contacts with the Mediterranean world and the Roman Empire, which is also apparent in the arts and material culture of the period.
Tombstone of Al-Ghaliya, 9th century CE, dates back to the early years of Islam. The countless tombstones in Makkah attest to the immense hardships endured by pilgrims. At the same time, they lend a human face to the multitude of devout visitors to the holy site. Most of the tombstones are hewn out of simple, irregular blocks of stone and the inscriptions are fitted to the size and shape of the surface. Although the stonemasons must have worked with simple tools, they succeeded in achieving an astounding range and variety of highly original formats and scripts.
Incense Burner, AH 1049/1649 CE, is an elegantly designed object attesting to the continued importance of incense to the Islamic world.
There are several more stunning artifacts from this unique collection on display, all sourced from the Riyadh-based National Museum, King Saud University Museum, King Fahd National Library, King Faisal Islamic Researches and Studies Centre, King Abdulaziz Library in Madinah and General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs.
Treat yourself to a journey through the Roads of Arabia and experience life as it was long before the establishment of modern Saudi Arabia. The exhibition will be held at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington till February 24, 2013 before it moves across the US cities of Houston, San Francisco and Chicago.

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