The Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities has announced the archeological exploration of a village that dates to the first century of the Islamic calendar. This makes it the kind of archeology that avoids religious complaints about unearthing things from the Age of Ignorance, a factor that limits to varying degrees just what kinds of archeology can be done in the Kingdom. This Arab News article notes that all of the work is being done by Saudis, without foreign assistance, and thus marks the coming of age of Saudi Arabian archeology.
It will be very interesting to see what’s learned from this site.
7th century village discovered in Eastern Province
Siraj Wahab | Arab NewsDAMMAM: A 7th century village has been unearthed in the Al-Raaka district of Dammam near the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities announced Monday.
Researchers say the village has been dated to the early Muslim era. “From the materials that we have discovered at the site, such as ceramic pottery and other artifacts, it is quite easy to ascertain the period to which they belong,” said Dr. Ali I. Al-Ghabban, deputy secretary-general for antiquities and museums.
He showed all the artifacts that have been recovered from the area so far. They include clay utensils, pottery with intricate inscriptions, a highly rusted and broken pair of scissors, seashells and iron bars.
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Saudi Gazette/Okaz coverage is similar:
UPDATE: : Here are more photos, from ‘Notes from Saudi Arabia’, a blog by the Arab News‘s journalist, Siraj Wahab.
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February:10:2010 - 00:08
Great topic–thanks for sharing this with us. The photos bring the discovery alive. Interesting to have held off 33 years to make the site discovery public; and to do it as a solo Saudi dig.
February:10:2010 - 11:32
Stuff like this is so exciting. To have a peek into the past is a gift. However, I wonder why this is a Saudi dig only…my latent conspiracy theorist heart wonders if it is to protect any information that might come to light about the early origins of the Qur’an that may be different from what is accepted. Not saying that is the reason…just wondering aloud. Either way…wonderful find.
February:10:2010 - 12:23
Oby,
I wanted to say that, but decided not to. Besides it is highly offensive to call pre-Islamic period of ignorance. The first rule of archaeology is that the archaeologists should consider all periods equally valuable. Considering a particular period as Age of Ignorance shows what kind of attitudes are going to be applied there and attitudes matter a lot in archaeology.
February:10:2010 - 18:41
I can certainly think of conspiracy theories that would fit–a Christian or Jewish village, for example, dating to after the Prophet–but I suspect that a quick dig was done those 30 years ago to look into just that. Most likely is that they simply wanted to show that they were up to the task at a fully professional level.
February:10:2010 - 20:44
According to the articles it is notable as a village of the early Muslim era. That doesn’t preclude that the earliest elements of the village weren’t of course, but isn’t a guarantee either. I do think the most likely is that they wanted to have the site well advanced before making the public and other archeologists aware. Depending on the training and expertise of the Saudi archaeologists, it might be the wisest to give the work (which is usually long term) to Saudis, rather than others.
Regimes that don’t like what they find in their archaeological digs, or more recent historical monuments, just spin it appropriately. China preserved the Forbidden City but tourguides are clear to point out the evils and exploitation of the masses “Before Liberation” ie before the Communist takeover in 1949, and point out the decadence of the Emperess Dowager among others. That way one may appreciate the beauty and art of the time while being apprised of the politically correct message.
Regimes write history with their own terminology, hence “Before Liberation” is correct in China, “Before the Communist takeover” is more likely to be used in the West, for the same event in 1949.
February:13:2010 - 02:25
I wish somebody would confirm whether or not that ruin in Balad (near the lagoon, not far from Jeddah’s chop-chop square) is indeed the remains of a relatively recent Abyssinian church. It certainly look like one.
February:13:2010 - 06:56
According to Ahmed of Saudi Jeans on “Churches in Saudi Arabia” official recognition of the site as a church has been given. He cites and links the article (in Arabic) with pics by his friend Bandar Raffah.
February:13:2010 - 13:15
Thanks Chiara. The architecture of that structure is so distinct, especially that arch over the entrance that’s perfect for a BELL, but some people tell me it’s an urban myth.
February:17:2010 - 06:48
You are welcome. It does look very bell tower ready! The history of Christianity in Saudi dates back to the time of Christ, and especially St Paul. The history of the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 1932 though there were previous Saudi States. As I am sure you know better than I. So…I would imagine there are more “church bells in the sand”.
February:17:2010 - 07:32
Well, maybe bell towers… throughout history, bells have found their way to being melted into some sort of weapon!
February:17:2010 - 08:05
True, alas. Silent bell towers then!
Well, except for the people we want to have weapons, like “our freedom fighters”, our resistants in France to Hitler, in Italy ditto, etc.
February:17:2010 - 08:46
Here in Brittany we have several legends about bells ringing in submerged churches; are there any in KSA about bells ringing in buried churches ?
February:17:2010 - 09:59
I’m not aware of any such legends, but perhaps they’re hidden amongst the stories of the jinn?