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The Tayma Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography was founded by the former Agency of Antiquities and Museums. Built in 1403 AH (1983) and opened in 1407 AH (1987), it covers 7,850 m² in six halls.
The German-Saudi archaeological mission has been working in Tayma since 2004. It brings together the German Archaeological Institute (DAI, Berlin) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, later the Heritage Commission. On the German side it is led by Ricardo Eichmann and Arnulf Hausleiter.
The catalogue Taymāʾ III publishes 102 inscriptions kept in the Tayma museum until 2017. The collections were then placed in storage in Tabuk, pending a new museum.
In 2021, an Aramco article said that the new Tayma museum was under construction. Part of the finds from Tayma is on display at the National Museum in Riyadh.
What is certain and what is not
- Certain: German-Saudi mission in Tayma since 2004 (DAI).
- Certain: 102 inscriptions kept in the Tayma museum until 2017 (catalogue Taymāʾ III).
- Uncertain: the opening of the new museum. No source found confirms it.
- Uncertain: whether the recorded coordinates correspond to the old museum, the new building or a building site.
- To check on site: opening, hours, prices.
- DAI, Taymāʾ III, catalogue of the inscriptions of the Tayma museum: https://publications.dainst.org/books/dai/catalog/book/2176
- DAI, Taymāʾ series (German-Saudi project): https://publications.dainst.org/books/dai/catalog/series/Tayma
- Archaeopress, extract from a book on Tayma (old and new museum): https://bcp.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/DMS/C04A41E040D241F2BD619D563B08D2DF/9781803279459-sample.pdf
- Aramco Life (2021): https://www.aramcolife.com/en/publications/the-arabian-sun/articles/2021/week-24/20210610-tayma-travel