Steps sought to preserve historic village in Al-Ula

Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — Archeology enthusiasts have demanded that the authorities pay more attention to Al-Mabiyat historical village in Al-Ula governorate by taking steps to preserve it. One enthusiast said the government is not paying any attention to this patch of great history in the Kingdom. “A few years ago, students from the Tourism and Antiquities College at King Saud University came for an excavation mission. They dug up some antiquities that proved human habitation in the area in prehistoric times. Nobody revisited the area afterward and the student excavation team never returned for a second look,” said the enthusiast. He said Al-Ula in its entirety is considered a historical region where people lived since the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. “Al-Mabiyat Village is 20 meters south of Al-Ula city. The buildings were made out of wood and decorated with Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy. We need to preserve this heritage,” he told Al-Watan newspaper. He also said the area is neglected and has turned into a junkyard. “If we don’t put in the efforts and funds to preserve the area, we will lose a big part of history simply by being ignorant of it. People are throwing their litter in the area oblivious to the historical importance of the site,” said the enthusiast. Madinah history researcher Tinaidhib Al-Faidhi said Al-Mabiyat Village was considered the second most important city in Hejaz after Makkah during the eighth century. “There was an excavation mission in 1985 which revealed the remnants of Al-Eid Mosque. The excavation also unearthed houses which date back to the fifth, sixth and seventh centuries. There were antiquities and potteries used for various purposes,” said Al-Faidhi. He added the city was surrounded by a fence to indicate its boundaries. “It was one of the most important cities during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. The authorities must pay more attention to it especially since tourism in Saudi Arabia is opening up to visitors from the Gulf region,” said Al-Faidhi.