Saudi Arabia Unveils Ancient Wells
Saudi Arabia announced the discovery of ancient wells and an Abbasid-era coin at an archaeological site. The finds highlight the kingdom's ongoing efforts to showcase its historical heritage and attract cultural tourism. The Abbasid coin provides evidence of the caliphate's reach and trade networks in the Arabian Peninsula.
- The specific site of the discovery is Ra's Qurayyah Port, located about 16 miles northwest of the historic Al-Uqair Port, a known trading location in pre-Islamic times. Though identified as archaeologically significant in 1976, excavations by a Saudi team only commenced in 2024. - The silver dirham coin dates back to 765, during the rule of the Abbasid Caliph Abu Ja'afar al-Mansur. The Abbasid era (750–1258) was marked by a significant expansion of international trade, with sea routes connecting Iraq to East Africa and Southeast Asia. - This discovery is part of a much larger national effort; in 2025, Saudi Arabia added 1,516 new archaeological sites to its National Antiquities Register, bringing the total number of documented locations to 11,577. - These archaeological projects are a key component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy. The tourism sector, driven by such cultural heritage, is projected to contribute more than 10% to the national GDP by 2030. - The country has set a new goal of attracting 150 million domestic and international visitors by 2030, having already surpassed its original target of 100 million seven years ahead of schedule. - Other recent major discoveries in Saudi Arabia include an ancient human settlement in Wadi Damm, dating back around 11,000 years, and life-sized rock engravings of animals in the Al Nafud Desert, estimated to be up to 12,800 years old. - The Abbasid Caliphate invested in infrastructure to support trade and pilgrimage, such as the Darb Zubayda, a route from Iraq to Makkah equipped with wells and rest stations to serve travelers. - In total, archaeologists at the Ra's Qurayyah site uncovered 147 artifacts, including stone and glass vessels, beads, and pottery fragments that span from the pre-Islamic era to the early Abbasid period.
