RIYADH — More than 1,700 artifacts have been uncovered at the archaeological site of Miqat al-Juhfah by the Heritage Commission.
The abundance of artifacts was uncovered during the Commission’s completion — in collaboration with the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom— of the first season of survey and documentation work at the archaeological site of Al-Juhfah Miqat.
The discoveries included pottery, glass, and stone fragments, as well as shells, crafted objects, and other archaeological remains, underscoring the site’s significance along the historic Egyptian Hajj route. The variety of artifacts was used in different aspects of daily life, including shells, beads, and metal objects.
Archaeologists also uncovered six pottery kilns and a water channel believed to have served pilgrims and travelers passing through the site, as well as 13 tombstones, some dating to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
Furthermore, the excavation yielded artifacts from regions such as the Levant, Egypt, and Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), indicating that pilgrims from across the world traveled through this miqat.
Located 187 kilometers northwest of Makkah, Al-Juhfah Miqat is associated with the Prophet Mohammed’s (peace be upon him) migration, and historical sources indicate that it flourished in the second century AH, with water facilities and shops serving pilgrims, designating the site as a pilgrimage station since the early Islamic period.
The survey and excavation work at the Al-Juhfah archaeological site forms part of the Heritage Commission’s broader efforts to identify and document archaeological and historical landmarks along the Hijrah Route between Makkah and Madinah.
The initiative also aims to accelerate scientific research and exploration, and provide new insights into the Kingdom’s rich civilizational heritage.
Source: Saudi Gazette