Trove of ancient treasures from across the world found in Saudi Arabia city. See them

Moira Ritter
·2 min read
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More than 100 years ago, collections of intricately designed pottery, ceramics and porcelain were sent from Europe, Japan and China to Saudi Arabia.

Now, archaeologists have found fragmented remains of these ancient artifacts while exploring a fortified tower in Jeddah — along with at least 25,000 other artifacts dating to as early as the seventh century.

An intricately decorated water jug found at Othman bin Affan Mosque.
An intricately decorated water jug found at Othman bin Affan Mosque.

Experts began excavating four sites in Jeddah starting in January 2020 and found more than 11,400 pieces of pottery, more than 11,300 animal bones, more than 1,700 shells, nearly 700 building materials, almost 200 glass artifacts and about 70 metal artifacts, according to a Feb. 4 news release from the Jeddah Historic District Program.

Here’s what was discovered during the extensive excavations in Jeddah.

Imported pottery, ceramics and porcelain

Pottery remains were found at two of the excavation sites, officials said.

At Al-Shona, archaeologists explored the ruins of a fortified tower, which held archaeological remains dating to as old as the 16th century A.D.

The remains found in the fortified tower were the oldest discovered by archaeologists.
The remains found in the fortified tower were the oldest discovered by archaeologists.
Various kinds of pottery were unearthed from the tower at Al-Shona, according to experts.
Various kinds of pottery were unearthed from the tower at Al-Shona, according to experts.

Among the remains, experts found pottery fragments from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the porcelain and ceramic artifacts had been imported from Europe, Japan and China, experts said.

Examples of pottery shards excavated from various sites in Jeddah.
Examples of pottery shards excavated from various sites in Jeddah.
Some of the ceramic pieces were imported from China, Europe and Japan, experts said.
Some of the ceramic pieces were imported from China, Europe and Japan, experts said.

Similar remains were also unearthed from Othman bin Affan Mosque.

Archaeologists said they found “a variety of ceramic vessels and pieces of high-quality porcelain.” Some of the pieces were made in Jiangxi, China, and potentially date to between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Older pottery, dating to the Abassid era which spanned from 750 A.D. until 1258 A.D., was also found in the mosque, experts said.

Ancient ebony pillars

Pillars dating to at least 1,200 years ago were also found inside the mosque.

Officials said the ancient ebony pillars, dating to between the seventh and eighth centuries A.D., were found alongside the mosque’s Mihrab — a niche in the mosque’s wall indicating the direction to face when praying.

The ebony pillars included wood imported from an island in the Indian Ocean, experts said.
The ebony pillars included wood imported from an island in the Indian Ocean, experts said.
Archaeologists found ebony pillars in the mosque.
Archaeologists found ebony pillars in the mosque.

After analyzing the pillars, experts realized the wood used had been imported from Ceylon Island in the Indian Ocean, “which highlights the far-reaching trade connections of Historic Jeddah,” archaeologists said.

Tombstones, a moat and ancient documents

Several stone, marble and granite tombstones were found throughout the city.

The tombstones were engraved with names, epitaphs and verses from the Quran, according to experts. The tombstones date to between the eighth and ninth centuries A.D.

The tombstones were engraved with names and verses from the Quran, experts said.
The tombstones were engraved with names and verses from the Quran, experts said.
The tombstones were made of stone, granite and marble, archaeologists said.
The tombstones were made of stone, granite and marble, archaeologists said.

Archaeologists also excavated part of a former gate in the city and found the remains of a moat dating to the 18th century.

Additionally, 250 wood samples from 52 buildings were collected for analysis, and 984 historical and archival documents were discovered, officials said.

Jeddah is on the western coast of Saudi Arabia.

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