According to the Jeddah Historic District Program, over 25,000 artifacts were unearthed in the historic Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
In the second-biggest Saudi city, archaeologists have found some 25,000 antiquities. According to the Jeddah Historic District Program (JHD), the discoveries include more than 11,400 ceramic fragments, more than 11,300 animal bones, more than 1,700 shells, nearly 700 building materials, 200 glass artifacts, and roughly 70 metal artifacts.
Some of the remnants of pottery, which range from the 16th to the 20th century, were brought from China, Japan, and Europe. According to archaeologists, these comprise “a variety of ceramic vessels and pieces of high-quality porcelain,” some of which were produced in the Jiangxi region of China.
Analysis was also done on the ebony pillars that were discovered on the mihrab’s flanks. These are thought to have originated in the seventh and eighth centuries. Additionally, the wood used for this section of the mosque originated on the island of Ceylon, which is today known as Sri Lanka.
Researchers from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have found an ancient Mayan city in southern Mexico.
In various places in Jeddah, tombstones composed of granite, marble, and mangabi stone were also discovered. Names, epitaphs, and passages from the Quran may be inscribed on tombstones that date to the eighth and ninth centuries AD.
“From the 7th century AD it was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea,” the UNESCO said.
In January 2020, excavations in Jeddah were first conducted by researchers. The objective is to reveal the historical value of four locations: Al-Shona, a section of the Northern Wall, Othman bin Affan mosque, and Al-Kidwah.
“These twin roles saw the city develop into a thriving multicultural center, characterized by a distinctive architectural tradition, including tower houses built in the late 19th century by the city’s mercantile elites, and combining Red Sea coastal coral building traditions with influences and crafts from along the trade routes,” the agency added.
The Red Sea’s eastern shore is where the historic place is situated. It was founded as a significant port for commerce routes across the Indian Ocean and a point of entry for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca starting in the 7th century AD. The seaport, which is under UNESCO protection, is home to 650 historic structures crammed into a small space, including souks and mosques, creating an amazing sight.
