By Kim Young-ah, Kim Young Deok and Kim Young Shin
May 17, 2017 | Seoul

Saudi Arabian history and culture, from prehistoric times through to the 20th century, are on display in Seoul at a special exhibition titled "Roads of Arabia -- the Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia," currently underway at the National Museum of Korea.

Some 466 relics from 13 major museums in Saudi Arabia are arranged across five different sections: Prehistory of Arabia, Civilization in the Oasis, Ancient Cities in the Desert, Roads to Mecca & Medina, and the Birth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The first section, Prehistory of Arabia, introduces visitors to remains from the prehistoric era found in Saudi Arabia, such as stone tools and statues. The second and third sections also exhibit artifacts from ancient civilizations.

The fourth section, Roads to Mecca & Medina, takes the visitors on a pilgrimage to the sacred land in the medieval Islamic world. In the last section, antiquities that belong to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, founded in 1932, welcome visitors to the museum.



One of the most noticeable exhibits is the Doors to the Kaaba, which stood at the entrance to the sacred building of the Kaaba for about 300 years until 1947. The 3.4-meter high and 1.8-meter wide set of wooden doors are decorated with silver plates brought from Constantinople, now Istanbul.

“The Doors to the Kaaba are a relic that symbolizes Islam,” said Jang Sang-hoon, the head of the Exhibition Division at the National Museum of Korea. "The fact that countless Muslims went to see the doors in Mecca reminds me of the greatness of the artifact.”

The special exhibition continues until Aug. 27. Guided tours in Korean are available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and only at 10 a.m. on weekends.



kimya124@korea.kr