Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

Saudi Arabia launches Red Sea research project to discover underwater heritage sites

Saudi Arabia launches Red Sea research project to discover underwater heritage sites

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission is launching a huge research project which will scour hundreds of kilometers of the Red Sea for underwater heritage sites.

The ‘Survey of Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Red Sea from Umluj to Ras A-Sheikh Hameed Project’ aims to survey and document more than 25 underwater cultural heritage sites along the survey path in Ras Sheikh Humaid, Duba, al-Wajh and Umluj areas and recover important artifacts and collect samples for analysis, the commission said on Twitter.

The project, in partnership with King Abdulaziz University and the University of Naples in Italy, will also conduct a vast underwater survey to look for submerged ships and other items from Umluj to Ras Al Sheikh Hameed.

It will also try to retrieve artifacts that may be subject to damage and detect parts of the wreck with archaeological work devices and tools.

The project aims to record a marine sonar survey with undated coordinates of underwater heritage sites using GPS over a 400 kilometer stretch of the Red Sea and produce nautical maps, mosaic maps, photos and videos of the sunken sites. The data will be collected and analyzed using sonar and sound waves.

A six-week Red Sea expedition in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM generated scientific research into marine ecosystems, megafauna, brine pools and coral reef conservation and regeneration.


King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) is also involved in the project.

During a press conference hosted by KAUST, Heritage Commission CEO Jasir Al-Herbish said that the commission has made significant achievements and uncovered underwater cultural heritage.

It established a new marine center to preserve underwater cultural heritage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. The commission will also encourage scientific cooperation with local and international universities to uncover underwater heritage sites and build capacities in the field, he said.

The commission also noted that the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf harbor hold many secrets about the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

A team of Saudi and Italian researchers are conducting a survey of Umluj, where a sunken vessel dating back hundreds of years, contains hundreds of Chinese porcelain pieces, and a variety of different metals. More discoveries are expected as work continues until September 5.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×