Investigation of the cultural heritage significance of the Rijal Alma Heritage Village.

Abstract

This research investigated the cultural heritage in Rijal Almaa to understand the factors that make it unique in Saudi Arabia and how the archaeological activities in this village affected the local community's values and traditions. Rijal Almaa, a nominated UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list, provides an interesting perspective into the cultural tourism sector in Saudi Arabia and the relationship between archaeology and this form of tourism. This study examined the impacts of increased tourism activities in Rijal Almaa on the local community's lifestyle and values. A literature review was critical in evaluating the information available about the research topic and critiquing this data for detailed analysis as part of this thesis. The research methodology applied in this study involved a SWOT analysis of the secondary literature used to categorize the sources based on their relevance to the research objectives. This secondary literature supplemented the data collected from a site visit, which included maps, photographs, and surveys completed by the researcher. A value-based theoretical approach was used to categorize data and identify the factors influencing and shaping critical themes associated with Rijal Almaa's cultural heritage and the impacts of archaeological activities on the site. The results from the study revealed that Rijal Almaa had 60 ancient historical buildings that formed the core of its cultural heritage. The architectural style displayed in these old buildings was unique to Rijal Almaa. This feature, combined with a study of the materials and decorations, illuminated why Saudi Arabia values the heritage site so highly. The results also showed that archaeological activities around the heritage site had significant socio-economic benefits for the local community in Rijal Almaa. However, the research revealed the necessity to ensure international visitors are aware of and comply with the local laws when visiting these sites. Tourist activities that result in vandalism or undermining the local community's traditions and values are detrimental to the inhabitants and inhibit the effectiveness of the site's heritage conservation strategies. The study recommends in-depth research into the long-term effects of cultural tourism on the heritage village's cultural, social, and economic states to implement policies that ensure the impacts remain primarily positive.