Condition Assessment.

Saidah is an isolated rocky eminence surmounted by three stone-built tombs, with a more recent necropolis extending along its flank. Its primary significance lies in a monumental inscription engraved on the cliff face, accompanied by forty-three smaller Thamudic and South-Arabian inscriptions and an extensive corpus of petroglyphs adorning boulders at the hill’s base. As a component of the UNESCO-inscribed Al-Hima Heritage Site in Najrān—celebrated for its exceptional rock art and inscriptions—Saidah furnishes critical evidence for pre-Islamic lifeways, religious expression, and intercultural exchange along historic trade and pilgrimage corridors.
The project aims to ensure the sustainable conservation of Saidah through an integrated desktop review and field mission designed to diagnose environmental and anthropogenic threats. Findings will underpin data-driven conservation policies that conform to international standards. The resulting action plan will rank emergency stabilisation, routine maintenance, and restorative interventions, while advancing community-focused, sustainable tourism initiatives. By safeguarding Saidah’s Outstanding Universal Value, the project will preserve its material integrity, enhance public accessibility, and secure its relevance for future generations.

2025-2026

Client
Heritage Commission (HC)

Funding
Heritage Commission (HC)