Jeddah, April 18, 2024, The Jeddah Historic District Program recently unveiled the findings from the initial phase of the Archaeology Project, shedding light on a significant archaeological discovery within Historic Jeddah. The excavation unearthed remnants of a centuries-old defensive moat and fortification wall that once encircled the city, located in the northern vicinity near Allegiance Square and east of Al-Kidwah Square.
Historical records indicate that Jeddah was fortified as early as the late 10th to early 11th century AD. However, laboratory analyses suggest that the discovered structures belong to a later phase of the fortification system, likely dating back to the 18th-19th century AD.
By the mid-19th century AD, the defensive moat had fallen into disuse and was gradually filled with sand over time. Nonetheless, segments of the fortification wall persisted until 1947, with some parts of the moat's retaining wall remarkably intact, standing at heights of up to three meters.
Excavations further revealed artifacts such as European imported ceramics from the 19th century AD, underscoring Jeddah's extensive trade connections during that period. Additionally, a fragment of pottery dating back to the 9th century AD was discovered at Al-Qidwah Square, providing insights into the city's historical depth and cultural heritage.
