Saudi archaeology expo draws big crowd 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Hundreds of people visited the "Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through The Ages" exhibition that was opened for the public at the Smithsonian's Sackler Museum in Washington D.C.

Saturday night. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) also organized in collaboration with the Sackler Museum a variety of cultural events on the sidelines of the heritage exhibition.

SCTA chief Prince Sultan bin Salman formally opened the three-month event on Thursday.

An attractive event particularly liked by children was the Arabian story telling especially from the Arabian Nights. Another impressive cultural program was called "the Family Day.'

In a seminar on the cultural heritage of the Kingdom, participating research students shed light on the cultural and trade relations the Arabian Peninsula had with other regions in the world thanks to the caravan routes that used to meet in ancient Arab cities.

Visitors toured around exotically arranged pavilions and listened to the explanation of each item particularly about the rock inscriptions, wall paintings and utensils dating back to thousands of years.

Excited visitors also formed long lines at the calligraphy section to get their names written in various calligraphic styles.

Visitors were also treated to qahwa and dates in the ancient Arabia style. They also viewed the traditional style of coffee preparation.

The rare artifacts showcased at the exhibition are taken from the National Museum in Riyadh, King Saud University Museum, King Fahd National Library, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, King Abdul Aziz Library in Madinah.