Spring–Summer 2026: Research, Training and New Perspectives for the Hegra Archaeological Project
The Hegra Archaeological Project (HAP), co-directed by Abdullah Basonbol and Pauline Piraud-Fournet and hosted by the Jaussen & Savignac Programme (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and The Royal Commission for AlUla), is continuing its multidisciplinary research dedicated to the site of Hegra (al-Hijr / Madāʾin Ṣāliḥ) in Saudi Arabia.
Spring and summer 2026 were marked by numerous scientific, research and training activities, both in France and Saudi Arabia.
Scientific activities in France
Between May and June, several HAP members took part in scientific meetings devoted to different aspects of research conducted at Hegra.
On 19 May, Laure Piraud presented her research on the landscapes of the Hegra basin at the National Congress of Historical and Scientific Societies in Aubervilliers. On 20 and 21 May, Zbigniew Fiema brought together contributors in Paris for a forthcoming publication on the fortified structures of Hegra.
The Ethno-Hegra project also continued its work in Paris, particularly on the mapping of the Hegra plain.
In May and June, several researchers from the project also presented their research at academic events in Paris, addressing topics including oasis settlement, relations between Hegra and neighbouring regions during the Parthian–Sasanian period, and the recent occupation of al-Hijr.
Training and the conservation of earthen architecture
From 22 to 27 June, Marc Grillo, Justine Gaborit, Mounia Bouali and Laure Piraud took part in the workshop Conservation of Earthen Architectures in an Archaeological Context, organised by Afalula and CRAterre at the Grands Ateliers in L’Isle d’Abeau.
This training forms part of the work being carried out on the conservation of earthen architecture in the archaeological context of Hegra.
Preparing the next stages of the project
From 29 June to 6 July, Pauline Piraud-Fournet and Caroline Durand travelled to AlUla and Hegra to continue preparations for several HAP projects, particularly those related to the future Hegra Visitor Center.
On 30 July, the project's research was also presented at the 59th Seminar for Arabian Studies, held in Bologna. The paper, entitled Hegra before the Nabataeans: New Discoveries from the Hegra Archaeological Project, presented new discoveries relating to the history of Hegra before the Nabataean period.
A new fieldwork campaign
Since 15 September and until 15 December 2026, a new research mission is taking place in Saudi Arabia. It brings together nearly 50 researchers, technicians, students and trainees from France, Saudi Arabia and other countries.
This new campaign will enable the Hegra Archaeological Project to continue its archaeological and interdisciplinary research and to further develop the work undertaken by the project's different teams.
