JEDDAH: A shipwreck off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast has become a window into centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange, with artifacts from the site featured in the “Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea” exhibition at the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah.
The exhibition combines archaeological discoveries with historical storytelling, tracing the transformation of the Umluj shipwreck from a merchant vessel into an underwater archaeological site and a natural reef habitat, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The vessel, measuring about 40 meters in length, struck coral reefs off the coast of Umluj and sank to a depth of 22 meters. The site was discovered in 2007, with archaeological excavations beginning in 2015.
Researchers uncovered earthenware jars, Chinese porcelain and other artifacts reflecting the ship’s commercial cargo and the extensive trade networks that connected East Asia, the Indian Ocean and Red Sea ports during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Researchers uncovered earthenware jars, Chinese porcelain and other artifacts reflecting the ship’s commercial cargo and the extensive trade networks. (SPA)
Among the most significant finds were 134 nearly complete cups and 479 ceramic fragments. The pieces included monochrome, blue-glazed cups, Batavia cups associated with Dutch East India Company trade, and blue-and-white Qinghua porcelain.
The Qinghua pieces feature floral, natural and symbolic designs, including peony and bamboo motifs and the “flaming wheel” pattern. Archaeological comparisons with ceramics recovered from other historical shipwrecks have helped researchers deepen their understanding of maritime trade during the period.
Over time, sediment has covered the wreck and coral has grown around it, transforming the site into a combination of archaeological and natural heritage. The exhibition uses an interactive experience to highlight the importance of protecting submerged archaeological sites and preserving them for future generations.
The shipwreck is presented as a “submerged archive,” preserving traces of the people who sailed the Red Sea and the cargo they carried while highlighting the importance of maritime heritage as part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural legacy.
The exhibition combines archaeological discoveries with historical storytelling, tracing the transformation of the Umluj shipwreck from a merchant vessel into an underwater archaeological site and a natural reef habitat. (SPA)
Umluj itself was an important maritime trading link between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. The coastal governorate is also home to more than 100 islands, coral reefs and diverse marine life, including green and hawksbill turtles, dolphins, dugongs and migratory birds.
Its natural attractions and maritime history are increasingly being developed as part of efforts to promote sustainable coastal tourism in the Red Sea region. The area also features a restored traditional souk, a museum housing thousands of artifacts and the historic Umluj Castle, built from volcanic rock.
The exhibition was developed in cooperation with the Heritage Commission and uses modern museum techniques to connect scientific research and archaeological discovery with public storytelling.
