Saudi Heritage Commission uncovers more than 1,700 finds at historic Miqat Al-Juhfah

RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has uncovered more than 1,700 archaeological finds at the historic Miqat Al-Juhfah site, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In collaboration with the University of Exeter, the commission has completed the first phase of survey and documentation. Pottery, glass, stones, shells, and other artifacts have been found, underscoring the significance of the site which is located along the Egyptian pilgrimage route.

Artifacts include a variety of fragments used in everyday life, such as shells, beads, and metal objects. Six pottery kilns have also been discovered, in addition to a water canal that likely served pilgrims and travelers passing through the site. Archaeologists have found 13 tombstones, some of which date back to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.

Examination of the discoveries has shown that they originated from different regions, including the Levant, Egypt, and Abyssinia, suggesting that pilgrims from across the world traveled through the site.

Located 182 km northwest of Makkah, Miqat Al-Juhfah was one of the established entry stations for pilgrims, dating back to the early Islamic period. The site was a key transit point on the Prophet’s migration route from Makkah to Madinah and sources have indicated that it flourished with shops and water facilities to serve pilgrims in about 719-816 C.E.

The survey and excavation work conducted at Miqat Al-Juhfah is part of the Heritage Commission’s efforts to identify and document archaeological and historic landmarks along the Hijrah route between Makkah and Madinah. 

It also supports efforts to accelerate scientific research in exploration and discovery, provide new insights into the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, and reveal the historic and cultural chronology of sites by using the most advanced techniques in surveying, documentation and identification analysis.