RIYADH: The third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in the Makkah region of the Al-Lith governorate has been finished by the Saudi Arabian Heritage Commission. The Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday that the project was completed in cooperation with China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to share archaeological excavation knowledge.
It takes place during the collaborative cultural efforts of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. Through the Silk Road, historical connections between the two civilizations are to be highlighted and cultural interchange strengthened. According to the SPA, the partnership demonstrates Saudi Arabia and China’s dedication to fostering historical studies and recording their common legacy.
By examining residential neighborhoods, city planning, and linkages to other urban centers, the excavation sought to provide a fuller understanding of the site. Additionally, it aimed to record structural elements such as portions of the city wall, towers, and gates.
Pottery, stone vessels, ornamental objects, a gold dinar from the middle of the second Hijri century, and Chinese porcelain were among the many relics that the researchers discovered. There were also gravestones with distinctive carvings.
The importance of the location along the Maritime Silk Road was highlighted by the survey’s identification of important architectural elements, such as gravestones and wall foundations. Reaching its zenith in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries, the harbor city flourished until the late third century. According to the SPA, it is still one of the biggest archeological sites on the Red Sea coast.
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