Khaybar
Heritage Assessment - Interpretive Planning
Client: Royal Commission for AlUla / Coen + Partners
Location: Khaybar, KSA
Completed: 2024
Khaybar is split across two zones, the Khaybar Natural Area, which encompasses the volcanic landscape of Harrat Khaybar, and the historic oasis, which is teeming with biodiversity and has been a source of vibrant culture and fresh water for millennia. The oasis features striking evidence of human engagement, such as the Stone Age funerary avenues and the ruins of fortresses – and famously is the location of the 7th century Battle of Khaybar.
Heritage Assessment
Cultural Innovations were appointed under lead masterplanning firm Coen + Partner with a specific scope to undertake an assessment of tangible and intangible heritage components across the site, with specific reference to the built heritage of villages and fortresses and lived heritage they nurtured, as well as the archaeology and rock art of the harrat. Through site visits including detailed inspections and documentation, community consultation, online research and discussion with the RCU archaeology team, we identified zones, buildings and themes of significance.
Interpretive Planning
In collaboration with lead architects, Foster and Partners, important heritage was documented and narrative themes defined for trails and zones as well as restoration and re-use of heritage buildings as artisan workshops, museums, souks, restaurants and beautifully preserved historic sites.
Theming and interpretive interventions were defined for walking, cycling and guided trails across Khaybar to help visitors understand the ecology, archaeology, rock art, history and heritage of this exceptional landscape.
Conservation & Heritage Consultant: Simpson & Brown