Najran: The Hima Cultural Area in Najran, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated as one of the world's largest open-air museums. Spanning 557 square kilometers, the site is a repository of human history, showcasing tens of thousands of rock carvings. These carvings include 550 panels that vividly depict ancient lifestyles, hunting scenes, and various flora and fauna.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Hima is strategically located at a crucial intersection of ancient caravan and trade routes, suggesting its historical role as a major marketplace for travelers traversing the Arabian Peninsula. The site is a linguistic archive, featuring inscriptions in multiple ancient scripts such as Thamudic, Nabataean, South Arabian, Aramaic, Syriac, and Greek. Additionally, it holds early pre-Islamic Arabic inscriptions that mark the development of the modern Arabic script.
Currently, Hima serves as both a valuable resource for scientific research and a significant attraction for tourists. Visitors to the Najran Region are drawn by its rich historical legacy and the archaeological marvels it offers.