The Jeddah Historic District Program, in partnership with the Heritage Commission, has announced the discovery of 25,000 artefact fragments in Jeddah, dating back to the early Islamic era. The findings come from four sites: the Othman bin Affan Mosque, Al-Shona, the Eastern Moat, and a section of the Northern Wall, as part of an extensive Archaeology Project.
The announcement underpins the objectives of the Historic Jeddah Revival Project, aiming to preserve national heritage and promote Jeddah as a cultural and touristic destination in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
The artefacts include pottery sherds, animal bones, shells, building materials, glass items, and metal objects, collectively weighing 531kg. Among the notable finds are ebony pillars from the Othman bin Affan Mosque, believed to be from the 7th to 8th centuries AD, with origins traced back to Ceylon Island, underscoring the ancient city’s trade connections.
Additionally, ceramic vessels and porcelain pieces were found at the mosque, some of which are from China’s Jiangxi province, dating from the 16th to 19th centuries AD, along with older Abbasid-era pottery fragments.
At Al-Shona, evidence suggests the site has been occupied since at least the 19th century AD, with porcelain and ceramics from Europe, Japan, and China found, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries AD. Excavations at Al-Kidwah revealed parts of the Eastern Moat, likely from the late 18th century AD.
The project also uncovered tombstones with inscriptions dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries AD, currently under study.
Comprehensive studies of the sites included radiocarbon analysis, soil analyses, geophysical surveys, and scientific examination of the artefacts. Over 250 wood samples from 52 buildings were sent to international labs for analysis. Archival research contributed over 984 historical documents on Historic Jeddah for examination.
The findings have been documented, registered, and preserved, with a focus on establishing scientific databases to maintain the information. The documentation and photography for the archive were conducted by specialists in archaeological conservation.
The project, which started in January 2020, aims to uncover the history within the four locations, contributing significantly to the understanding and preservation of Jeddah’s historical heritage.
