King Saud University strongly believes in the importance of recovering the antiquities and history of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the University has founded the Museum of Archaeology (College of Arts) in the year 1387 after Hijra (1967 A. D.) as a nucleus for a large museum, to house objects of antiquities and heritage from all parts of the kingdom. In support of the Museum and the Department’s activities in archaeological excavations and cultural tourism, a highly qualified team of Saudi technicians is recruited. Among such objects displayed in the Museum, are those discovered in Qaryat (al-Fau) and al-Rabadhah, the two sites where the University has been excavating for more than twenty years. In 2004 the Department shifted its archaeological excavation activities to al-Ula region, to excavate al-Khuraybah (Dadan) pre-Islamic site and al-Mabbiyat (Qurh) Islamic site. During the last two seasons of excavations a variety of antiquities and architectural remains were found. All the finds display a bright portrait of pre-Islamic and early Islamic civilizations in Saudi Arabia.

 

“Crown Prince Sultan Collection”

Coins donated by His Royal Highness

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz

 

   His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy  Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General donated  King Saud University - the Department of Archaeology with a valuable collection of ancient coins known worldwide as «Crown Prince Sultan Collection». The collection encompasses unique and masterpieces of coins dating back to the Pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. The pre-Islamic group includes Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian and Nabataean. Highlights of the collection include magnificient Islamic coins dating to Umayyad, Abbasid, Biohian, Suljugian, Ayyubid and Saifaic periods,totalling 873 pieces, of which 51 are gold, 633 are silver, 169 are bronze, 4 are copper, and 16 are other.

   As well, the Museum contains a valuable collection of ancient coins, graciously donated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz.

     The prime objectives in establishing the Museum are:

 (1) to familiarize archaeology students with archaeological finds relevant to their theoretical, and practical studies.

 (2) illustrate the archaeology and history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the earliest times to the illustrious Muslim era.

 (3) introduce to both citizens and foreigners the contributions made by King Saud University in the field of Archaeology. As such, the Museum is to provide the appropriate atmosphere for researchers and citizens and their children to understand the country’s antiquities and objects of heritage as an integrated whole, that ought to occupy its rightful place along with the recent past and living present.

 

Visiting Hours 

From   8 a.m - 2 p.m

Saturday - to Wednesday

Tel: 4674942

Fax: 4674941

The Museum Tel : 4674947

Email: cta@ksu.edu.sa

Address

P.O.BOX :  2456

Riyadh :  11451

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia