The Heritage Authority announced the completion of the fourth season of archaeological excavation at the Hailit site in Al-Dawadmi Governorate in the Riyadh region, revealing new results that enhance knowledge of the site's historical and cultural value, as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve and promote national antiquities.

The authority's statement explained that the Hailit archaeological site, located about 110 kilometers northwest of Al-Dawadmi Governorate, is an ancient mining settlement and is registered in the National Antiquities Register for the Riyadh region.

Diverse Architectural and Artifactual Discoveries

The statement indicated that the fourth season saw the application of precise scientific methodologies in excavation work, resulting in the discovery of 18 architectural units of varying sizes, including rooms and corridors, in addition to a large number of movable artifacts.

The authority added that among the most notable finds is a stone weight engraved with its measurement in Kufic script "Ratl" (pound), dating back to the first or second century AH. The discoveries also included adornment tools, such as part of a metal bracelet and various beads, along with glazed and plain pottery vessels, soapstone vessels, fragments of glass bottles, and stone tools like hand mills and pestles.

Historical Significance and Ongoing Efforts

In the same context, preliminary results of the fourth season's excavation showed consistency with previous seasons, as archaeological evidence indicates that settlement at the site dates back to the first century AH and may extend to the second century AH.

For its part, the Heritage Authority affirmed its continued implementation of archaeological survey and excavation projects across all regions of the Kingdom, and the development of documentation and protection mechanisms for discoveries, contributing to the sustainability of the national cultural heritage and highlighting its status in the Kingdom's civilizational identity, in line with the objectives of the National Culture Strategy.