Latest news with #BinRedha
Arab Times
16-03-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Ancient Water Well Found on Kuwait's Failaka Island, Dating Back 1,400 Years
KUWAIT CITY, March 16: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced on Sunday the discovery of an ancient water well on Failaka Island, dating back to the pre-Islamic period and the early Islamic era. The well is notable for its substantial size and the presence of flowing water. Mohammed bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Antiquities and Museums at the NCCAL, stated that the discovery was made within the courtyard of a large house dating to the 7th and 8th centuries AD. The findings also include rock foundations of a building adjacent to the well, evidence of a large wall enclosing the courtyard, house, and well, as well as pottery remnants estimated to be 1,300 to 1,400 years old, representing both the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods. Bin Redha explained that this discovery is part of ongoing excavation efforts by the Kuwaiti-Slovakian archaeological mission, which began in 2019 in the Al-Qusour area. This site, located in the center of Failaka Island, is one of the largest archaeological sites on the island and spans various historical periods, from pre-Islamic times to the early and late Islamic eras. Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, described the discovery as one of the most significant archaeological finds on Failaka Island. He noted that the findings, which date back to the Christian period and the early Islamic era, highlight the cultural activity on the island during that time. Additionally, he revealed the discovery of over 5 kilograms of precious stones, including rubies and purple amethyst, shedding light on the economic activities of the island 1,400 years ago. Dr. Matej Rutkay, head of the Slovak mission, stated that the focus of the 2025 excavation season will be on the northern part of the Qusur settlement. Previous excavations in this area uncovered the remains of a courtyard and a house believed to have belonged to a wealthy individual of that era. Rutkay added that the site covers an area of 38 meters in length and 34 meters in width, with the house itself spanning 97 square meters. The newly discovered water well measures 4.5 meters in length and 4 meters in width and is adjacent to a water channel. The Al-Qusour site is one of the most important and extensive archaeological sites on Failaka Island. It stretches approximately two kilometers from east to west and extends about one kilometer inland to the south. Excavations have revealed the foundations of churches, numerous houses constructed from limestone and mud bricks, as well as gypsum materials, precious stones, and pottery from various historical periods.
Arab Times
16-02-2025
- General
- Arab Times
2,300-yr-old Hellenistic relics discovered on Failaka Island
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 16 : The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) announced the discovery of a courtyard and building west of Al-Qurainiya site on Failaka Island, dating back 2,300 years to the Hellenistic period. Acting Secretary-General for the Antiquities and Museums Sector at NCCAL Mohammad bin Redha stated to KUNA that the Kuwaiti-Italian archaeological mission made this discovery during its work at Al-Qurainiya site. Al-Qurainiya is considered one of the most significant sites for archaeological excavation since 2014, which spans for multiple historical periods, from pre-Islamic times to the early and later Islamic periods, located in the northern part of Failaka Island, directly overlooking the sea. Bin Redha highlighted the collaboration between NCCAL and the University of Perugia in Italy, under the supervision of the head of the Italian mission, Dr. Andrea Di Miceli. (KUNA)
Arab Times
16-02-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Kuwait's Failaka Island unveils 2,300-year-old Hellenistic artifacts in latest excavation
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 16: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced on Sunday the discovery of a courtyard and a building dating back to the Hellenistic period, approximately 2,300 years ago, located to the west of the Al-Qurainiya site on Failaka Island. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Mohammad bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary-General of the Council for Antiquities and Museums, revealed that the Kuwaiti-Italian archaeological mission made this discovery during their work at Al-Qurainiya, a settlement spanning multiple historical periods, including pre-Islamic, early Islamic, and late Islamic periods. The site is located in the northern part of Failaka Island, overlooking the sea directly. Bin Redha explained that the team uncovered the rock foundations of the building, an internal wall, and an entrance that links the external courtyard with a room. Inside the room, many remains of plastered walls were found, along with numerous pottery items dating back more than 2,000 years. He emphasized that the oldest layer at this site dates back to the third and second centuries BC, making it one of the largest archaeological sites on Failaka Island. Since 2014, Al-Qurainiya has been one of the most significant sites for archaeological surveys and excavations, carried out in collaboration between the NCCAL and the University of Perugia in Italy. Dr. Andrea De Micheli, the head of the Italian mission, has supervised the excavations. Bin Redha also noted that the Council has expanded its collaboration in the current season, involving various sectors such as Kuwait University, international laboratories, and the Italian mission. This cooperation aims to use modern laboratory equipment to investigate topics such as the methods of preparing gypsum, the original materials used at the site, and the types of clay employed in pottery production. Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, a Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, described the discovery of the Hellenistic-period building as a significant archaeological achievement for Failaka Island. He pointed out that previous findings from this period were concentrated in the southwestern part of the island, specifically in the Tell Saeed area. However, this new discovery, located in the northern part of the island, suggests the expansion of Hellenistic presence in the region. Ashkanani added that the discovery indicates that the Hellenists likely used the Al-Qurainiya site as a control point, port, or central hub in the northern part of the island, complementing the Hellenistic dwellings, castle, and temples found in the southern part. Dr. De Micheli, speaking about the 2025 excavation season, noted that the focus would be on the western part of the Al-Qurainiya settlement, where remains of a courtyard and building from the Hellenistic period were found. Other excavations have revealed stages of early and late Islamic settlements, showing that the area was inhabited intermittently for over 1,800 years. From 2014 to 2020, excavations uncovered various buildings, mostly dwellings, dating back to the early Islamic period (8th century AD). The site was abandoned by the late 8th or early 9th century but saw renewed human activity from the second half of the 18th century until the early 20th century. The discovery of large quantities of pottery and ovens has provided valuable insights into daily life at the Al-Qurainiya site. The remains of the Al-Qurainiya site span approximately 500 meters from east to west, directly along the sea coast, and extend inland for about 250 meters to the south. The site includes numerous dwellings built from limestone, mud bricks, and pottery from various periods, making it one of the largest archaeological sites on Failaka Island.
