According to the Saudi Heritage Commission, the discovery was made during the completion of the first season of a joint archaeological mission in collaboration with the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
The unearthed artefacts include pottery, glass and stone fragments, shells, handcrafted objects, jewellery, beads, and metal items. Experts say these findings reflect the daily life and commercial activities of earlier periods.
During the excavation, six ancient pottery kilns were also uncovered, which were used for making clay vessels, along with a water channel believed to have served pilgrims and travellers.
In addition, 13 tombstone inscriptions dating back to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods were found, highlighting the site’s deep historical significance.
Researchers noted that the presence of artefacts originating from regions such as the Levant, Egypt, and Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) indicates that pilgrims from across the Islamic world passed through this route.
Located around 187 kilometres northwest of Makkah, Miqat Al-Juhfah has been known as an important pilgrimage station since the early Islamic era.
Historical sources suggest that the site flourished in the second century Hijri, when it was equipped with water facilities, markets, and services for pilgrims.
The Saudi Heritage Commission said the project is part of a broader initiative to document archaeological sites along the Hijrah Route between Makkah and Madinah, aimed at preserving the Kingdom’s rich Islamic heritage.
