The IASA exists to promote research relating to the Arabian Peninsula and, in particular, its archaeology, history, epigraphy, languages, literature, art, culture, ethnography, geography, geology and natural history.
It does this by…

Awarding research grants,
Producing its own publications and supporting others,
Disseminating news of new research and events connected with Arabia, and
Organizing lectures and conferences, in particular the annual Seminar for Arabian Studies.

Become a member

You can join The IASA as a Corporate, Individual or Student member. Benefits are detailed on our membership page and include a copy of our twice yearly eBulletin, free lectures and discounts on some events.

The 2025 Seminar will be held at the Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi

12th-14th December

The Call for Papers is now closed. Please see the Seminar page for more details.

Image: Zayed National Museum, Foster + Partners

Recent research

Of Shells and (wo)men: an analysis of aquatic resources from Umm an-Nar and Wadi Suq domestic structures in the Wadi al Jizzi, Oman

The International Association for the Study of Arabia was kind enough to award me a Small Research Grant to conduct research in Oman as preparation for a future PhD trajectory regarding archaeological shells. This grant allowed me to travel to Oman to conduct the research and to buy the materials necessary for the project....

Lipid residue analysis of Early Bronze Age pottery in south-eastern Arabia

The direct detection of organic products in Early Bronze Age pottery demonstrates the value of applying biomolecular methods for examining connections between material culture and dietary practices in the archaeology of Arabia. Combined with other bioarchaeological approaches, such methods can facilitate an exciting new understanding about ancient foodways, culinary practice and vessel use in the region....

Wadi al Jizzi Archaeological Project Study Season 2019

After five seasons of fieldwork we felt it was the time to consolidate our knowledge of the surface archaeology and to prepare for publication of the results...

Recent videos

The Imam, the Pasha and the Englishman by Michael Crawford

This lecture may be viewed on our YouTube channel

Al Baladhuri’s account of the Muslim conquest of Arabia by Professor Hugh Kennedy

This lecture may be viewed on our YouTube channel

High Jinks in Arabia: Julius Euting’s Epigraphic Adventure, 1883–1884 by William Facey

This lecture may be viewed on our YouTube channel