Found Influence from the Past Museum

Found Influence from the Past Museum is a personal museum located in Rafha Governorate, affiliated with the Northern Borders Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was inaugurated in 2014. The museum encompasses several sections housing various archaeological collectibles that reflect the cultural and urban aspects of the province's residents. It welcomes visitors free of charge, particularly students and heritage enthusiasts.

The Found Influence from the Past Museum is one of the private museums that support the role of the Kingdom's government in preserving cultural heritage. It displays items of historical significance to the residents of the Northern Borders Province. The museum is owned by Sayyah al-Shemri, who has shown interest in collecting rare artifacts as a hobby since his childhood. He gathered a substantial collection of tools and heritage items on the verge of extinction. He thought of establishing a private museum in which he could share this human history with citizens, residents, tourists, researchers, and students, highlighting the heritage of the Northern Borders Province and the Arabian Peninsula in general.

The Found Influence from the Past Museum houses more than ten thousand heritage, historical, and archaeological pieces, including ancient weapons, swords, shields, various pottery utensils, household stoves, paper and metal coins, ceramics, handicrafts, old clothing, food containers, drinking vessels, primitive and manufactured weapons, old books and study supplies, devices dating back to the early days of human technological make, copper pots, old cars, and various devices. The museum also contains several sections, including posters, televisions, cameras, and various collectibles that reflect the province's history and highlight its heritage. It also features photos and items that narrate the development of the Kingdom and its government sectors, including health, education, transportation, traffic, etc.

Among the museum's collections are al-Miqsar, also known as al-Qan, al-Markab, and al-Emmariyah which resembles howdah and is covered and lined with wool or other fabrics. Only some parts of its wooden structure, such as the handles on the outside, are visible for carrying and lowering the howdah decorated with colors and patterns. It is made of easily shaped wood, with an arched top resembling a dome. The floor is constructed from strong and durable wood called al-Shaddad. It serves as a portable seat placed on a camel. Women take it as a seat during wedding processions, and the elderly and children use it while traveling on camels, as it protects them from various weather fluctuations.

The Found Influence from the Past Museum has consistently participated in festivals held in the Northern Borders Province to introduce visitors to ancient historical and heritage tools to revive and preserve heritage from extinction. These include the Winter at Darb Zubaida festival, held in the historical village of Linah and organized by the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, during its second edition in 2023 and its third edition in 2024.