Archaeologists In Saudi Arabia Recently Discovered 25,000 Ancient Artifacts, Including Pottery Fragments, Animal Bones, And Shells, That Will Help Experts Better Understand Day-To-Day Life In Ancient Jeddah

In Saudi Arabia, archaeologists uncovered about 25,000 ancient artifacts. They were located in Jeddah, a port city situated near the coast of the Red Sea and the second-largest city in the country overall. The finds were made during an ongoing project aimed at exploring the city’s historic district, which is known as al-Balad.

According to the Jeddah Historic District Program (JDHP), more than 11,400 fragments of pottery, approximately 11,400 animal bones, and roughly 1,700 shells made up the collection of remains.

Additionally, there were artifacts and building materials made from glass and metal. The objects will help experts construct a clearer picture of what day-to-day life was like in ancient Jeddah.

“For example, fragments of pottery can teach us about the far-reaching network of the ancient Caliphates,” said Laurence Haipot, the director of the Department of Antiquities Care with the JDHP.

“Meanwhile, the meticulous study of animal bones and plant remains found during archaeological excavations allows our researchers to reconstruct not only the diet of the ancestors of modern-day Jeddah but also the environmental and climatic conditions of the past.”

Historically, al-Balad served as the center of Jeddah. Ever since the city was established in the seventh century, al-Balad has been well-preserved. Today, the district is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the past, the district was an important trading port, channeling goods from trading routes in the Indian Ocean to Mecca. It also served as the primary gateway for Muslim pilgrims who arrived by sea to Mecca.

Today, the town is famous for its traditional architecture, which was constructed with coral stone and decorated with wooden lattice windows, attracting many tourists and helping Jeddah continue to thrive.

Previously, archaeologists did not have any concrete evidence of the timeline of Jeddah. Due to historical texts and accounts from travelers, they knew that the city dated back to at least the seventh century. But, until recent excavations, they had not been able to view the city through an archaeological lens.

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