Riyadh - Saudi Arabia
The Heritage Authority concluded the work of the fourth season of the archaeological excavation project at the Al-Ma’amla archaeological site in the Al-Baha region, announcing the discovery of an archaeological mosque dating back to the first century AH, in the middle of the residential area on the western side of the site, in a discovery that enhances the understanding of urban and economic activity in the region from before Islam until the Middle Islamic era.

Mosque with unique layout and granite stones

The mosque was built with trimmed granite stones, and is characterized by a unique layout that combines precision and simplicity in the design of the mihrab, entrances, and minaret, as the length of its wall from north to south is 16 meters, and from east to west it is 10 meters. It is surrounded by a number of adjacent stone rooms that were used for social and commercial purposes, and includes fine architectural details such as warehouses, basins, and supports, reflecting the local building style of that era.

Archaeological finds reveal daily activity
The scientific team documented a group of archaeological finds, most notably parts of vessels made of steatite and pottery in various shapes, in addition to finely carved stone tools such as trowels, pestles, and parts of millstones, which reveal features of the daily activity and craft skills of the site’s residents.

An economic destination for metal traders

The Al-Ma'malah site is considered one of the most prominent archaeological sites in Al-Baha, as it contains archaeological evidence and tools related to the extraction and processing of mineral raw materials such as gold, silver, and copper, which made it an important economic destination for metal merchants, craftsmen, and workers in Islamic times.

Mining activity since before Islam

Organic samples removed from the site indicate that mining activity has been present since before Islam, as the results of laboratory analysis showed that it flourished from the late sixth century until the ninth century AD. The Heritage Authority confirmed its commitment to continuing archaeological survey and excavation projects in various regions of the Kingdom, in a way that enhances the sustainability of the national cultural heritage.

The importance of discovery for the Arab tourist and investor
This discovery represents a qualitative addition to cultural tourism in Saudi Arabia, as it opens the door for Arab tourists to explore a rare archaeological site that combines the religious, historical and economic dimensions at the same time. It also provides the Arab investor with promising opportunities in the sectors of hospitality, tourism services and specialized cultural tours in the Al-Baha region, especially with the increasing interest in heritage tourism within the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to raise the contribution of tourism to the domestic product to more than 10%.