First pharaoh-era relic found in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH - Saudi archaeologists have found a rock bearing an ancient hieroglyphic inscription of an Egyptian pharaoh - making it the first such confirmed pharaoh-era relic discovered in the kingdom.

Though the discovery was made in July near the ancient oasis of Tayma in Tabuk province, which was a place for a halt on an ancient land route between Arabia and the Nile valley, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquity (SCTA) made the announcement only Sunday, Xinhua reported citing Arab News.

“The rock was bearing an inscription of King Ramses III, one of the kings who ruled ancient Egypt between 1192-1160 B.C.,” SCTA vice president Ali al-Ghabban was quoted as saying.

Ghabban said a temple of King Ramses III was found near the port of Abu Zenima on the Gulf of Suez.