Dr Maria Guagnin, one of the eight AlUla Grant recipients, has shared with us this insightful blog offering a glimpse into her fascinating research project in AlUla.
AlUla Rock Art Field School: Preserving Prehistoric Heritage through Hands-On Training, by Dr. Maria Guagnin
The AlUla region of Saudi Arabia is a landscape that is extremely rich in rock art. Thousands of engravings and paintings tell the stories of prehistoric peoples over 12,000 years of human history. Preserved in this rock art are hunting scenes carved in the Stone Age, engravings of cattle documented by the first herders over 8000 years ago, chariots of Iron Age kingdoms, camel caravans and inscriptions linked to the Incense Road, and Medieval battle scenes. These rock art panels are the closest analogues we have to eye-witness depictions that offer rare, vivid glimpses into prehistoric life, depicting beliefs, daily experiences, and the animals that once roamed the ancient landscape.
Now, a new project is set to train Saudi heritage professionals in the documentation and preservation of this rock art: the AlUla Rock Art Field School.
Why This Matters
Rock art can provide a bridge to the past, and help us understand prehistoric societies, as well as changes in landscapes and climate over time – from a time when Arabia was much greener, to the desert we know today. This direct connection to the past makes rock art a great tool in education and tourism. But protecting this delicate resource - and presenting it in a way that honours its historical context - requires specialized training that’s been largely unavailable in Saudi Arabia. Until now, those seeking training in rock art research and preservation have had to travel abroad, where training cannot address the specific landscape setting, age range, and preservation that is typical for the rock art in northern Saudi Arabia.
The AlUla Rock Art Field School
In October 2025, the project will run a 10-day field school in AlUla, led by a rock art expert and supported by two UK-based archaeologists. In collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla the project will select six Saudi heritage professionals from a cohort of recent university graduates. Training will be tailored to the specific archaeological context, landscape setting, and condition of rock art in Saudi Arabia
Training will include:
- GPS and digital photography documentation
- Basic rock art database design
- Mapping and spatial analysis using Google Earth and QGIS
- 3D modelling through photogrammetry and lidar
- Image enhancement via DStretch software
- Weathering processes and chronological interpretation
- Hands-on excavation and scientific sampling at a selected site
This practical approach will not only deepen participants' understanding of rock art interpretation and conservation, but also support heritage tourism and education in the region.
Looking Ahead
The field school will serve as a pilot project, which could pave the way for a regular field school in collaboration with UK institutions. There is a growing demand for locally relevant rock art training in Saudi Arabia to support the documentation and preservation of globally significant rock art landscapes.
