المناجم ومواقع التعدين الأثرية بالمملكة العربية السعودية.
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Abstract
In line with the strategic objectives of the Heritage Commission at the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia—focused on advancing research, safeguarding cultural heritage, and effectively managing archaeological sites through the use of cutting-edge digital technologies—the Commission has undertaken archaeological surveys and excavation projects at several ancient mining sites. These initiatives commenced with key projects at the Asham site in the Makkah region, the Hellt site in Riyadh, the Al-‘Abla site in Asir, as well as mining sites located in the governorates of Al-Ais (Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah region) and Al-Quwayyiyah (Riyadh region). Historical evidence indicates that early Arab communities possessed a deep understanding of natural mineral properties and employed distinctive methods to extract and experiment with them. During the early Islamic period (1st–3rd Hijri centuries /7th–9th centuries AD), mining emerged as a vital economic activity. This growth was largely driven by the Arabization of Islamic currency and the need to mint coins, which necessitated a steady supply of raw minerals from local sources.