The recent expression of concern by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) regarding illegal digging by treasure seekers at some of the Kingdom's most important archeological sites underscores a profound need for tighter control of the sites. It also points to the imperative of establishing a Saudi National Museum in Riyadh or Jeddah, which will acquire, store and put on display appropriate artifacts that can tell not just the story of Saudi Arabia but the ancient history of the peninsula, as well. As we are all aware, there is a depressing lack of museums and public libraries in the Kingdom despite the rich history that led up to the nation's founding. That history stretches back thousands of years and includes the development of ancient civilizations that left signs of their existence scattered about the desert. Some who live near the sites have some knowledge of those who preceded them there, but many of the rest of us learn largely piecemeal and by chance about those who called the Arabian Peninsula home long before we did. There is a huge need for a central storage and display facility, i.e. a museum, that would be easily accessible to all Saudis. Although it may be physically possible to visit the various sites around the Kingdom, it is not likely that any of us will undertake such a quest. It makes a lot of sense to found a museum in a city like Jeddah, which many Saudi families visit for various reasons throughout the year. The archaeological sites should still be maintained and protected, but the publicity surrounding the construction of and opening of a museum in the Kingdom devoted to the history of the Arabian Peninsula would spur both new learning about and new respect for the achievements of those who came before us and the complexity of their societies. Any such museum will not put an end to archaeological thefts. Egypt has been the world's premiere tourist destination for 2,000 years and despite the massive Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the multitude of sites in that country must still be watched carefully. But the Egyptians are aware of their history in a way in which we are not. And their central museum is known the world over. If we are to play a greater role on the world stage, a greater understanding of our own roots is mandatory. A national museum would be a tremendously valuable step in that direction. __
