Saudi Arabia's Commission for Cultural Heritage Announces the Discovery of Early Islamic Era Coins in Riyadh

The discovery site of the Ummayah coin. (Twitter/@MOCHeritage)

JAKARTA - The Saudi Arabian Commission for Cultural Heritage last month announced the discovery of a coin from the Umayyad dynasty dating back to 85 Hijri has been found at the Halit archaeological site in Dawadimi Province, Riyadh.

The Cultural Heritage Commission said the find confirmed the site's importance as one of the most important mining settlements, which were particularly important in the early Islamic era.

The coins were found during an excavation project at the Halite archaeological site in Dawadimi Province, among several other important discoveries, reported by The National News, April 4.

During the excavations, mithqal, which was used to measure precious metals, ancient Arabic script and a "settlement bazaar", featuring rooms adjoining the side entrance of the mosque, were also found recently.

Ummayad coin. (Twitter/@MOCHeritage)

The Halite archaeological site highlights the role of the Arabian Peninsula during the Umayyad period and has an integrated structure.

It should be noted, Halite archaeological site is one of the mining sites dating from the Umayyad era, and according to what is mentioned in early historical sources, this site is called "Maadan Al-Najadi or Al-Najadi Metal" and it belonged to the sons of Najad Bin Musa Bin Saad Bin Abi Waqqas, as quoted by The Saudi Gazette.

It is known, this announcement coincides with the completion of the excavation project at the Halite archaeological site in Dawadimi Province, for the third season of 2022 AD, which has resulted in several other important discoveries.

The project aims to explore and disclose the features of the site, document it and preserve it, which includes its responsibility to cultural heritage, protect and care for it.

This commission also aspires to highlight the role of Saudi Arabian civilization in various times and periods of history.

كنوز أثرية متنوّعة؛ تؤكد أهمية موقع حليت الأثري كأحد أهم مستوطنات التعدين ذات الأهمية العالية في العصر الإسلامي المبكر.

#هيئة_التراث pic.twitter.com/U2ZwZ1heiJ

— هيئة التراث (@MOCHeritage) March 15, 2023