ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s latest discovery of ancient artifacts goes back to early Islamic era.
Ancient grave stones and pottery pieces were discovered next to Al-Maala cemetery in Makkah “as the excavation contractor carried out work on a new smart parking lot project,” the Makkah Municipality posted on its official website on Saturday.
The gravestones date back to 687 Hijri (Islamic) year, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) said conforming that the artifacts found next to Al-Maala cemetery in Makkah dated back to early Islamic era.
“The artifacts are being delivered to SCTH so that experts can examine and study them thoroughly,” said Dr. Nayef Al-Qanoor, director general of the Registration and Protection of Antiquities Department at the SCTH.
He said that “an SCTH team of specialists will continue to follow up on the excavation work on the site every day in anticipation of the emergence of any new historical landmarks or artifacts.”
The SCTH will coordinate directly with the city’s municipality and the operating company, he added.
Early Islamic era artifacts found near Makkah cemetery
https://arab.news/naz2v
Early Islamic era artifacts found near Makkah cemetery
- Experts to examine and study the artifacts thoroughly
- Excavation work continues as officials anticipate new historical landmarks
Saudi wildlife center records rare sighting of critically endangered leatherback turtle in Red Sea
- NCW says the leatherback traveled thousands of kilometers to reach the Red Sea
- The closest known nesting grounds are located in India’s Andaman Islands, some 6,500 km distant
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has documented a rare sighting of a leatherback sea turtle in the Red Sea, marking a significant biological record for one of the planet's most critically endangered marine species.
The sighting occurred approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of Al-Qunfudhah within the Blue Holes Protected Area, a newly established marine reserve, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The NCW confirmed that the presence of a leatherback in these waters is an exceptional event. Recognized as the largest turtle species on Earth, the leatherback can weigh up to 900 kilograms. It is easily identified by its unique leathery, black carapace—distinguished by five longitudinal ridges rather than a hard bony shell—and its ability to dive to depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
Noting the species' migratory nature, the center explained that leatherbacks travel thousands of kilometers foraging for jellyfish. The specimen likely navigated through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in search of food.
This is considered a remarkable journey, the NCW said, noting that the nearest known populations reside in the Indian Ocean, spanning waters from South Africa to Sri Lanka (roughly 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers away). The closest known nesting grounds are located in India’s Andaman Islands, approximately 6,500 kilometers distant. No nesting activity has been recorded in the Red Sea.
According to the IUCN Red List, the leatherback is Critically Endangered in the Indian Ocean. While data for the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf is scarce, recent isolated sightings include a juvenile recorded in Jordan in December 2025 and another off Djibouti in 2019.
The NCW emphasized that these rare appearances highlight the ecological importance of the Kingdom's marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea. The center pointed to the Farasan Islands Marine Protected Area, along with the new Blue Holes and Ras Hatiba reserves, as critical sanctuaries that could support the potential expansion of such endangered species' ranges.
