Abdulrahman al-Ansary

Abdulrahman al-Ansary (Arabic: عبدالرحمن بن محمد الطيب الأنصاري; 10 October 1935 – 6 March 2023) was a Saudi Arabian archaeologist and professor of archeology at King Saud University, and also member of the first and second terms of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia. He is considered the founder of the rediscovery of archeological site of Qaryat al-Fau.[1][2]

Abdulrahman al-Ansary
عبدالرحمن بن محمد الطيب الأنصاري
Born(1935-10-10)10 October 1935
Medina, Saudi Arabia
Died6 March 2023(2023-03-06) (aged 87)
Alma materUniversity of Leeds, Cairo University
Scientific career
FieldsArcheology, history
Doctoral advisorBenedikt Isserlin

Education

Al-Ansary earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic language and literature from Cairo University in 1960 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the department of Semitic Studies of the University of Leeds in 1966. During his doctoral studies, he focused on the comparative study of Lihynite personal names and trained at archeological excavations with his thesis supervisor at Durham University and Motya, Sicily,[3] and with Professor Kathleen Kenyon in Jerusalem in 1966.[4]

Career

Al-Ansary was a faculty member of King Saud University (formerly Riyadh University) from 1966 to 1999 where he held several positions and roles[5] including dean of the College of Arts (1971–1972 and 1988–1994),[6] chairman of the Department of History (1974–1978) and chairman of the Department of Archeology and Museology (1978–1986). Between 1996 and 2001, he served as a member of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, which were its first two terms.

Al-Ansary is considered the pioneering academic who established the study of archeology in Saudi Arabia by taking the leading role in creating an archeology concentration in the Department of History at King Saud University and later the Department of Archeology and Museology in 1978, the first in the country.[7] Professor al-Ansary is perhaps most known for leading the archeological excavation in the city of Qaryat al-Fau between 1972 and 1995 while at King Saud University.[5] In 1982 he authored a book entitled "Qaryat al-Fau: A Portrait of Pre-Islamic Civilisation in Saudi Arabia",[1] which presented the results of the first six seasons of excavation.

Books
Book Title Year of Publishing Remarks
Qaryat Al-Faw: A Portrait of Pre-Islamic Arab Civilization in Saudi Arabia 1982
Najran: starting point for caravans 2003 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route).
Al-Ula and Madain Saleh (Al-Hijr): Civilization of Two Cities 2005 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Hussein Abu Al-Hassan.
Ḥaʼil the land of Hatem 2005 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Farag Allah Ahmed Youssef.
Taif: one of the two villages 2005 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration With Mohammed bin Sultan Al-Otaibi.
Khaybar: The conquest that pleased the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace 2006 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route).
Arab Islamic civilization through the ages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2006 In collaboration With others.
Tayma gathering land of Civilizations 2007 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Hussein Abu Al-Hassan.
Al-Jawf: the fortified fortress of the North 2008 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route)
Asir: the majestic fortress of the south 2009 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Khaled Al-Asmari.
Al-Baha: The smiling beauty 2009 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route).
Al-Qassim: History, Civilization and Trade 2012 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route)
Qatif and Al-Ahsa: Antiquities and Civilization _ _ _ Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Farag Allah Ahmed Youssef.
Riyadh: Bride of Cities 2015 Series (Visible Villages on Incense route) in collaboration with Farag Allah Ahmed Youssef.

Death

Al-Ansary died on 6 March 2023, at the age of 87.[8]

References
  1. al-Ansary, A.R. Qaryat al-Fau: A Portrait of Pre-Islamic Civilisation in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh University Press. 1982.
  2. Trade Routes Resources Blog. The ancient city of Gerha = Qariyat Al-Fau. February 17, 1999.
  3. Motya: a Phoenician and Carthaginian city in Sicily. Isserlin, B. S. J. and Taylor, Joan du Plat. Volume 1. Brill Academic Publishers. 1997.
  4. Tushingham, AD. Excavations in Jerusalem, 1961-1967. Royal Ontario Museum. 1985.
  5. Adumatu Journal Website Archived March 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Deans of the College of Arts, King Saud University Archived October 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Mandaville, J. The New Historians. Aramco World Magazine. Volume 3, number 2. 1980.
  8. "المؤرخ عبدالرحمن الأنصاري.. في ذمة الله". Al Riyadh. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
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