100-Piece Gold Jewelry Set from Abbasid Era Discovered in Saudi Arabia
A collection of 100 pieces of gold jewelry dating back to the Abbasid era has been unearthed in Al-Qassim region, showcasing advanced craftsmanship and cultural exchange.
Riyadh: The Saudi Heritage Commission announced on Tuesday a significant discovery of 100 pieces of ancient gold jewelry from the Abbasid era found in the Al-Qassim region.
These artifacts are believed to have formed an elaborate adornment set featuring flower designs with stone settings fixed within gold frames.
Among the discovered items, a notable disc-shaped piece was identified, adorned with colored stones arranged symmetrically in a central pattern, along with multiple groups of multi-colored beads and delicate gold spacers.
The craftsmanship of these items reflects the advanced techniques employed during the Abbasid era, including hammering, hand-forming gold sheets, decorative pressing, and stone inlay within gold frames.
These findings were secured at the Dariyah archaeological site as part of the commission's ongoing fourth season of archaeological surveys and excavations.
Dr. Jasir Suliman Alherbish, CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission, emphasized that this discovery underscores the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and its historical role as a hub for trade routes and cultural exchange.
The excavation also revealed various architectural features dating back to the Abbasid period such as stone building foundations, mud walls, fire hearths, plastered rooms, pottery vessels, and metal tools.
These findings suggest that human settlement in the area dates back to the late ninth century A.D., confirming the strategic significance of Dariyah along pilgrimage and trade routes.
Located in southwest Al-Qassim Region, Dariyah is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's key archaeological sites with evidence spanning from pre-Islamic times into early Islamic periods.
Historically, it served as an essential stopover on ancient trade and pilgrimage paths, including the Basran Hajj route from Iraq.
The site’s historical importance is further highlighted by its surviving remains, which include archaeological mounds, stone foundations, pottery and glass fragments, soapstone artifacts, and Islamic inscriptions in the surrounding area.
These artifacts are believed to have formed an elaborate adornment set featuring flower designs with stone settings fixed within gold frames.
Among the discovered items, a notable disc-shaped piece was identified, adorned with colored stones arranged symmetrically in a central pattern, along with multiple groups of multi-colored beads and delicate gold spacers.
The craftsmanship of these items reflects the advanced techniques employed during the Abbasid era, including hammering, hand-forming gold sheets, decorative pressing, and stone inlay within gold frames.
These findings were secured at the Dariyah archaeological site as part of the commission's ongoing fourth season of archaeological surveys and excavations.
Dr. Jasir Suliman Alherbish, CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission, emphasized that this discovery underscores the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and its historical role as a hub for trade routes and cultural exchange.
The excavation also revealed various architectural features dating back to the Abbasid period such as stone building foundations, mud walls, fire hearths, plastered rooms, pottery vessels, and metal tools.
These findings suggest that human settlement in the area dates back to the late ninth century A.D., confirming the strategic significance of Dariyah along pilgrimage and trade routes.
Located in southwest Al-Qassim Region, Dariyah is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's key archaeological sites with evidence spanning from pre-Islamic times into early Islamic periods.
Historically, it served as an essential stopover on ancient trade and pilgrimage paths, including the Basran Hajj route from Iraq.
The site’s historical importance is further highlighted by its surviving remains, which include archaeological mounds, stone foundations, pottery and glass fragments, soapstone artifacts, and Islamic inscriptions in the surrounding area.
