RIYADH: A joint Saudi-French archeological mission to excavate ancient sites on Farasan Island, in the Jazan region, has been concluded by the Heritage Commission.
The initiative, in collaboration with Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University, featured a team of experts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It aimed to reveal settlement phases and chronological sequences at the excavation sites — Qusar, Ghurrayn, and Wadi Shami, which date from the first to third centuries — as well as study various burial grounds.
The work is part of a scientific project highlighting the historical and strategic importance of the Farasan archipelago, particularly its key role in maritime trade across the Red Sea through various historical periods.
It included male and female students from national universities, as well as participants from Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University.
Previous excavations under the same project, which took place from 2011 to 2024, have yielded significant findings dating back to the Bronze Age and the periods of Southern Arabian states.
Discoveries have included watchtowers and industrial sites believed to be remnants of a camp dating back to the second century B.C.
The findings underscore the rich cultural exchange that took place on Farasan Island, highlighting its pivotal role in connecting Southern Arabian civilizations with those of the Mediterranean. Prehistoric shell mounds and human settlements further emphasize the islands’ historical significance.
