Almotamar.net, Gulf Times - Doha, 5 Nov.- THE preservation of archaeological sites in Yemen will bring socio-economic development and tourism investments to that country, a Qatar Museum official told a conference in Doha yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of a 2-day conference on the Qatar International Archaeological Project in Yemen, Qatar Museum Authority (QMA) vice chairman Sheikh Hassan al-Thani said the project aims to establish excavation sites in Yemen that would measure up to international standards.
“The objective of the project is to realise the idea and dreams of HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in ensuring that Yemeni antiquities are preserved and opened to international tourism,” he said.
Presenting an overview of the project, he lamented that the antiquities are in a decrepit state and Qatar is taking up the challenge to help maintain and preserve their historical significance.
He said “there is a need for quick changes in the excavation process because the sites have been subject to vandalism and subsequent destruction.”
Apart from providing financial support for the project, Qatar will also be awarding licences to experts to carry out excavation expeditions on these sites.
“We are inviting you to come up with proposals and I can assure you that Qatar is willing to help and work with you as a team in setting up excavation sites in Yemen,” he told experts at the conference.
“The Yemeni archaeological sites are the common heritage and history of the Arab people, a little of which has only been revealed. Therefore, we must not allow these monuments to sink into oblivion,” he said.
Speaking to Gulf Times, Yemeni government political adviser Abdul Kareem al-Eryani believes that the antiquities need to be preserved as part of the common Arab heritage.
Yemen is the heart of the Arabian peninsula, where so many other monuments are being discovered, apart from major ones like Marib the old city, Hajar Abuzaid, Baragish, Tamna and others.
Al-Eryani said that the Sanaa government hopes that the relationship would be the good partnership to introduce the ancient history of Yemen to the world.
A dozen archaeological experts made presentations showcasing the present state of major excavation sites in the Arabian peninsula during the conference.

Source Gulf Times