Archeological finds shine a light on Kingdom’s ancient past
Evidence of early human settlement in Madinah, and fortified city wall in Jeddah
Archeologists have found new evidence of early human settlement at Umm Jirsan Cave in Madinah and the remnants of an ancient underground tunnel and a fortified wall that once encircled Jeddah.
The finds in the northern part of historic Jeddah, next to Al-Kidwa Square and near Al-Bayaa Square, date back centuries. Archeological excavations revealed that by the mid-19th century the tunnel had become unusable and was quickly filled with sand. However, the wall remained standing until 1947, and some parts of the tunnel’s supporting wall remained intact up to a height of three meters.
Imported European ceramics dating from the 19th century were also found, highlighting the historic commercial connections of Jeddah. Additionally, a pottery fragment dating from the 9th century was discovered in Al-Kidwa Square.
The findings are part of a broader collection of archeological discoveries by the Historic Jeddah Program, the first phase of its Archeology Project. The combined expertise of specialized national teams, Saudi experts from the Heritage Commission and foreign Archeologists has revealed a trove of 25,000 artifacts across four sites, marking a significant development in understanding the cultural evolution of historic Jeddah.
In Madinah, the Heritage Commission’s find was part of the Kingdom’s first archeological research inside caves, and involved surveys and excavations in several parts of the cave, revealing evidence dating back to the Neolithic period.
The oldest piece of evidence dates from 7,000 to 10,000 years ago, encompassing the Copper and Bronze Ages.
The discoveries
in “highlight the deep historical significance and cultural heritage” of the city, Sami Nawar, antiquities consultant with the Jeddah Historic District Program, told Arab News. The program “aims to preserve and promote the region’s rich heritage,” he said.