“Civilization unity & Cultural Diversity”

24 Jan – 23 Feb 2009 / Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Salman Al-Saud, on the 24th of January at 8:00 p.m the GCC Second Joint Periodic Archeology Exhibition “Civilization unity & Cultural Diversity” was launched in the National Museum in Riyadh and will last for two months.

A joint work team of specialized archeologists from all GCC countries organized the exhibition. 

The exhibition is an execution of the decision by the GCC Archeology and Museums Officials Eighth Meeting which stated on organizing a GCC joint archeology exhibition that simulates the civilization unity and harmony of the GCC countries from the old ages until the present time, and highlights the cultural heritage of the Gulf by organizing the exhibition in all GCC countries every two years to send this message to all GCC citizens and the resident communities. The previous exhibition was held in Al-Fujaira in the United Arab Emirates.

The State of Qatar represented by Qatar Museums Authority (Archeology Department) participated in the current exhibition with no less than 200 artifacts from different old and Islamic historical ages. Those artifacts were discovered during seasonal excavations in many archeological sites such as Al-Zubara, Murwab, Um Almaa in the Northern Qatar, Al-Mazrooa, Al-Khor, Al-Wusail in the Eastern part of Qatar, Dukhan, Al-Daasa, Ras Ouinat Ali, Al-Wakra, Um Taqa, Ras Ibruq in the Southern part of Qatar. Among the Qatari exhibits were granite tools that dated back to the Acheulean Period and which were discovered during the excavation season of 2008 in Ras Ibruq in the Western part of Qatar.

This exhibition was a cultural heritage forum for some of the best GCC archeologists who contributed in the documentation and registration of joint history of the Gulf through their organization and participation in the lectures and seminars held on the occasion of the exhibition.

A meeting of GCC archeology and museums officials was held on the occasion of the exhibition in the General Secretariat – Riyadh. A Qatari delegation participated in the meeting and their work agenda included:

-  The future vision of developing joint museum and archeology work in GCC countries

-  The executive concept of the Periodic Joint Archeology Exhibition

- The recommendations of the State of Qatar on developing the exhibition from its current regional image into a future international image

The Third exhibition will be held in the State of Qatar as the capital of culture in 2010.