10 May 2009

JEDDAH: A rare bronze coin and remains of Nabatean potteries were discovered at the Domat Al-Jandal archeological site in the north of the Kingdom by a team of Saudi-Italian experts carrying out preliminary exploration work.

“It is very difficult to unearth what is below the soil but we are extremely happy to discover the antiquities after digging seven meters into the ground,” said Italian archeologist Alessandro De Maigret, head of the team.

He said extensive excavations would continue in the area to find the traces of the oldest inhabitants in Domat Al-Jandal. The Adomato Kingdom existed in the area well before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Jesus Christ (AS) during 685 BC.

“Domat Al-Jandal is an important historic site and it’s one of the oldest civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula,” he said. It is also linked to Syrian and Yemeni civilizations of the past.

“Domat Al-Jandal is considered a link that connects these civilizations because of its location on the trade route,” the professor said. “The oldest recorded history about this place dates back to the seventh and eighth centuries before Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Jesus Christ (AS),” he said.

De Maigret said Domat Al-Jandal was the capital of several Arab kingdoms such as Talkhunu, Tabua, Zabeeba and Shamsi. Assyrian Army overpowered Arabs to take control of the vital trade route.

Ali Al-Ghaban, vice president for Antiquities and Museums at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) recently signed an agreement with De Maigret, who is a professor at the University of Napoli.

According to the agreement the excavation process will take place at Domat Al-Jandal, which is located in Al-Jouf province. The accord was signed in the presence of the Italian ambassador to the Kingdom.

In a statement on the occasion, Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of SCTA, emphasized the richness and depth of Saudi Arabia’s civilization. He said the commission encourages excavation works by Saudi teams with the support of international experts.

The Saudi team carrying out exploration in Domat Al-Jandal is headed by Dr. Khalil bin Ibrahim Al Meagel, a Shoura member and professor of Islamic archeology in the College of Antiquities at King Saud University.

Al-Jouf is Saudi Arabia’s northern gateway linking Syria and Iraq with the Arabian Peninsula. It is part of the cradle of the Nabatean and Assyrian civilizations. Al-Jouf covers an area of 58,425 sq. kilometers, ranging from plateaus to valleys and fertile plains. The history of Sakaka, the capital of Al-Jouf, dates back more than 5,000 years. Archeological monuments such as the Zaabal fortress, Omar bin Al-Khattab Mosque, Marid Fortress — which is 2,000 feet high and dates back to 2000 BC — Al-Hamra Palace and Al-Ablaq Palace are found there.

Al-Jouf province as a whole is about 580 feet above the sea level and occupies an area of 76,000 sq. km. Currently, it has a population of 400,000, including 60,000 expatriates.

The abundance of potable water and fertile land has attracted migrants to Al-Jouf since early times. The area is one of the most important grazing grounds in the Kingdom. In addition to grazing, its inhabitants are also involved in agriculture.