Ancient Ruins and Inscriptions in Makkah's Al-Ardiyat Governorate Bear Witness to Ages Past

Al-Ardiyat, one of the governorates in Makkah Region, is home to many archaeological sites dating back to early periods, including the pre-Islamic Arab eras and the Stone Age. Among these are ibex carvings and inscriptions continuing into later centuries.
 Abdullah Al-Ruzqi, a researcher of archaeology and history in the governorate, said that the inscriptions in Al-Ardiyat fall into three categories: ibex drawings; Nabataean and Thamudic writings and phrases; and funerary inscriptions from the first Hijri century, such as the tombstone of Maryam bint Qays. He also noted the presence of several other known and unknown inscriptions and etchings, calling for attention to and protection of these archaeological sites.
 He pointed out that Al-Ardiyat stands as a testament to history, with numerous inscriptions adorning the governorate’s mountains. He also added that the governorate is known for the "Thumaidah" mine, a tunnel approximately 50-meter-long within the rocky mountains which contains antimony kohl and lead deposits located in a mountainous area stretching from Abyan to Mount Tharban along its western slopes, reaching the well-known Qanuna Valley, as well as its eastern slopes extending to the famous Yabah Valley.