Geological and archeological heritage resources assessment of the Najran Province; towards the 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The nascent state of Saudi Arabia's tourism industry belies its potential to ascend to a prominent position as a global tourist destination. Najran is poised to become an emerging and promising tourist destination due to its cultural and historical significance, which is exemplified by a variety of historical sites. This study's primary objective is to demonstrate that geoscience, geoeducation, and geotourism can all benefit from geological heritage (geo-heritage). When selecting geotourism resources in the province of Najran, the visibility of geoheritage is a crucial factor to consider. Numerous geomorphological landscapes and geomorphosites have been discerned as focal points. This investigation employs Geographical Information System (GIS) methodology in conjunction with on-site field research in order to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the study region. The evaluation of potential geoarchaeological heritage resources significantly contributes to geoconservation and efficient management strategies. By categorizing the geoarchaeological sites in the study area, it was discovered that the region is rich in geodiversity, particularly in areas where archaeologically significant sites and valuable geological features coexist. A substantial body of geoheritage knowledge pertinent to the study area already exists, as the current research has yielded fundamental insights. However, it is evident that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places a greater emphasis on other developmental initiatives, marginalizing the necessity of sustainable regional growth. It is concluded that the area's geoarchaeological heritage resources should play a role in the research agenda and sustainability plan. Therefore, additional research is required for the prudent and effective use of the available geoarchaeological heritage resources.