Exploring Endangered Cultural Landscapes in Asir: Bridging Anthropological Gaps Through Documentation & Field work

The economic integration and transformation processes caused in our modern world are changing the traditional cultural landscapes, a phenomenon that is deeply affecting the life of the inhabitants in the Arab countries. Being one of them, the region of Asir in South-West Arabia holds a rich cultural and historical heritage, yet a noticeable lack of anthropological research documenting and preserving its landscapes and traditions is observed. This is mainly due to the lack of cultural knowledge about the traditional vernacular architecture of the area as well as the higher appreciation of living in large western style villas on concrete block construction. The result of this phenomenon led to the abandonment of approximately 400 traditional settlements of stone and mud architecture. This study aims to address this gap by conducting fieldwork, engaging with local communities, and developing a methodological framework for understanding Endangered Cultural Landscapes in the region. Motivated by an ongoing PhD thesis on Asir and a broader scientific interest, this research leverages recent improvements in accessibility to conduct firsthand investigations. Key areas of focus include documenting cultural landscapes, mapping intangible traditions, and integrating local knowledge through interviews and participatory research. By combining theoretical and practical approaches, this study seeks to contribute to the preservation and understanding of Asir’s unique cultural identity while establishing a foundation for future research in similar regions.