Saudi-Egyptian Cooperation on Excavation Project at Ramses III Site

Saudi-Egyptian Cooperation on Excavation Project at Ramses III Site

Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass receives from Jasir Al-Herbish, the CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission, replicas representing prehistoric artifacts that were discovered in Saudi Arabia.

Former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass announced that excavation work will begin in November at the site of King Ramesses III in North Saudi Arabia, indicating that he will head an archaeological team to uncover facts concerning pharaohs in the kingdom, as well as the state of trade missions between the two countries over 3,000 years ago.

In a press statement on Thursday, the official revealed that he held a meeting with Jasir Al-Herbish, CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission, to discuss the steps needed to initiate work on excavations, implementing several other projects on Saudi heritage, and filming a series of documentaries on the kingdom's antiquities.

In 2010, the Saudi Kingdom announced the discovery of a rock near Tayma bearing an inscription of Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses III, saying it was the first confirmed discovery of a hieroglyphic inscription on Saudi soil.

At that time, Hawass, who had been the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities, suggested that "the two countries cooperate to uncover the Pharaonic presence in the Arabian Peninsula.“ He reiterated his offer