The Royal Commission for AlUla, in collaboration with Estia Ltd, inaugurates the Hegra Conservation Project

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has launched the conservation project for the archaeological site of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in partnership with Estia, an Italian company with over three decades of experience in the restoration of cultural heritage.

This initiative is part of the Vision 2030 program, where RCU aims to enhance the attractiveness of AlUla's archaeological heritage globally through restoration and promotion, positioning it as a significant destination for art, heritage, and culture. The project, led by Professor Mauro Matteini and a team of Italian scientists and technicians, seeks to study the degradation factors of the tombs carved over 2000 years ago in Hegra and implement effective measures for their long-term preservation. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, this project is a convergence of Italian restoration tradition and technological innovation.

Several renowned Italian entities will join Estia in this mission: Geogrà will handle 3D surveys, providing a detailed representation of art objects, ES Progetti e Sistemi will develop an advanced geodatabase for data management, and Mapei will play a crucial role in the scientific analysis of surfaces. Mapei's laboratories will analyze samples collected on-site to study, formulate, and develop materials and technologies suitable for future restorations.

The Hegra Conservation Project is also a significant opportunity to share the beauty and majesty of AlUla's archaeological artifacts and the scientific aspects related to their preservation in an accessible language for all. The website hegraconservation.com and associated social media channels are already available.

Hegra, with its 110 monumental tombs, historical inscriptions, monuments, and rock-carved chambers, became a hub of trade and culture in antiquity. The Nabateans, skilled navigators of trade routes, managed exchanges across Arabia, Jordan, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia, playing a crucial role in the trade of incense and spices.

The historical importance of Hegra is evident in the intertwining stories of the Nabateans, Dadanites, and Lihyanites, reflected in architecture, decorations, linguistic usage, and caravan trade activities. When Hegra became part of the Roman province of Arabia in 106 AD, a Roman fort was integrated into its urban structures, significantly influencing its fortifications.

Reopened to the public in 2020, Hegra today attracts those curious to uncover the secrets of what was once the second most important city in the Nabatean kingdom. Visitors from around the world come to immerse themselves in the mysteries of ancient civilizations, in a place that offers a rich historical experience embellished with Roman elements and various historical narratives.