Hugh Thomas

Hugh Thomas is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Discipline of Classics and Ancient History, School of Humanities, University of Western Australia, and Assistant Director of the Aerial Archaeology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (AAKSAU) project. With over 17 years of field experience across Greece, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, he specializes in funerary archaeology and digital methodologies.

His primary research areas include:

• Greek Funerary Iconography: Analysis of gestures in burial practices from Late Bronze Age to Late Classical periods.
• Digital Archaeology: Development of 3D recording and drone-based remote sensing (multispectral analysis, landscape modeling).
• Arabian Archaeology: Neolithic and Bronze Age studies in northwest Arabia, focusing on burial sites, cult practices (mustatils), and pastoralism.

Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong shift toward Arabian archaeology, particularly in Saudi Arabia's AlUla region. Thomas employs multi-scalar methodologies to document landscapes, revealing insights into Neolithic stone circles, Bronze Age tombs, and ritual practices. His work bridges traditional archaeology with advanced remote sensing for large-scale analysis.

Thomas secured a grant from the Royal Commission for Al-Ula (2019-2020) for the AAKSAU project's Phase One, which excavated hinterland heritage sites. This project gained significant attention, covered by 80+ news outlets and referenced in Wikipedia.

As Assistant Director of AAKSAU, Thomas collaborates with an international team to document archaeological landscapes in AlUla and Harrat Khaybar, utilizing aerial and ground-based techniques to uncover ancient Arabian societies.