The Forgotten Seal of Alula by Jaffer Sadiq

An ancient seal. A vanished water covenant. A truth powerful people would rather bury. When archaeologist Dr. Mira Voss discovers a black basalt seal in the sands of AlUla, she believes it may unlock a forgotten chapter of the region’s past. Instead, the artifact draws her into a dangerous conflict over memory, ownership, and the right to tell a community’s story. The seal bears an open hand without a wrist—a symbol linked to the living water practices of Wadi Sahl. As Mira follows its trail through hidden chambers, damaged archives, and ancient inscriptions, she is joined by field engineer Rafi al-Harith and the people whose knowledge has long been dismissed as folklore. But the discovery has attracted the attention of a powerful foundation determined to control the narrative—and the object itself. When the seal disappears, Mira must decide how far she is willing to go to recover it without repeating the very injustice it was created to resist. Set against the haunting sandstone landscapes of AlUla, The Forgotten Seal of Alula is a gripping archaeological mystery about buried histories, contested heritage, and the secrets that survive when no one person is allowed to own the past. Perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric archaeological thrillers, desert mysteries, and stories where history refuses to stay silent.