As part of its scholarly publishing program, the King Abdulaziz Public Library has published nine extensive works on the archaeological heritage of the Kingdom, which is distributed across its various regions. These publications aim to promote scientific archaeological research and studies examining the Kingdom’s antiquities, some of which date back more than 10,000 years. The library also holds 625 titles of books and studies addressing Saudi archaeology.

The studies and books published by the library in recent years include a collection of works documenting the Kingdom’s historical and archaeological landmarks. The library has also published the Comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 20 volumes, covering the various archaeological sites and heritage of all 13 regions of the Kingdom and providing valuable information about these sites.

As the Kingdom has recently witnessed a large number of archaeological discoveries that reflect its civilizational history across the ages, the library presents an overview of some of its most prominent publications in the field of archaeology.

The library published the book Saudi Arabia, a black-and-white illustrated volume containing photographs of various locations across the Kingdom, including historical sites and diverse archaeological landmarks. The photographs were taken by internationally renowned photographer Umberto de Silveira.

The library also published HEGRA, a large-format illustrated book released in 2013. It contains a diverse collection of black-and-white photographs of numerous historical and archaeological landmarks throughout the Kingdom, also captured by internationally renowned photographer Umberto de Silveira. The book highlights the diverse treasures and archaeological heritage found throughout Saudi Arabia.

The book Riyadh – The Old City provides a comprehensive account of the city of Riyadh from its beginnings through the 1950s. It recounts the city’s history, describes its geography and archaeological remains, and provides a detailed account of its development as the political capital of the country and its role as the starting point for the unification of the Kingdom under King Abdulaziz, may he rest in peace. The importance of this book lies in establishing the historical significance of Riyadh and documenting its rich archaeological and cultural heritage.

The book Saudi Features and Places, prepared by a group of researchers specializing in archaeology, contains photographs and profiles of 225 places, landmarks, heritage icons, and sites. The diverse images represent various aspects of life in the Kingdom, reflecting its social, cultural, natural, and civilizational diversity. Captions and explanations are provided in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Chinese.

Among the important scholarly works documenting ancient pilgrimage routes is the book Darb Zubaydah, published in English by Dr. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Rashid under the title:

Medieval Routes to Mecca

A Study of the Darb Zubaydah Pilgrim Trail

Darb Zubaydah was the Iraqi pilgrim route leading to Makkah and the holy sites. The library published this work as part of its efforts to introduce the Kingdom’s heritage and Islamic civilization. The book contains an introduction and six chapters covering pilgrimage routes in the pre-Islamic period, pilgrimage routes during the early Islamic period and the early Abbasid era, and events that took place along the route during the later Islamic periods until its use eventually came to an end. The author also included an appendix providing information about the route’s stations, stopping points, and branches. Darb Zubaydah and its remains—including pools, springs, and the ruins of settlements and stations—remain a testament to a glorious and deeply rooted Islamic civilization.

The library also published the Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, consisting of 20 volumes and containing information about the Kingdom’s regions, cities, and villages. Among its subjects are archaeological sites, historical landmarks, geographical characteristics, economic features, and natural resources. The archaeological sections are supported by photographs, explanatory maps, and up-to-date statistics. The library also published the Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Children and Young People, presenting its scholarly material in a style suited to its target audience. The encyclopedia consists of nine volumes and includes 1,800 photographs, 624 artistic illustrations, 100 tables, and 40 maps. Based on the library’s comprehensive encyclopedia of the Kingdom, it covers the Kingdom’s geographical characteristics, historical development, archaeological sites and historical landmarks, social patterns, customs and traditions, cultural activity, services and development infrastructure, economy and natural resources, wildlife, and tourism.

Among the library’s publications focusing on ancient archaeological inscriptions in the Kingdom is the book The Camel in Ancient Art, History, and Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It contains 400 illustrated inscriptions and figures and consists of 484 large-format pages. The images are explained in both Arabic and English, showcasing ancient archaeological scenes rich in diverse forms of art and inscriptions.

The book Horsemanship, published in two substantial volumes comprising 564 pages, includes a large collection of archaeological evidence, including photographs of inscriptions and rock art depicting horses, camels, and horsemanship throughout the Kingdom. These inscriptions reflect the profound historical and archaeological depth found across Saudi Arabia’s various regions, cities, and villages.