Jeddah — A Saudi-Chinese joint archeological team discovered more than 100 ancient tombs and dozens of cultural relics in Al-Serrian, a long abandoned Saudi Arabian port in Jeddah on the Red Sea.

Located at the southwest tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Serrian was one of the major gateways for Haj pilgrims to Makkah and played an important role as a trade hub leading to the north.

Five Chinese archeologists joined 10 Saudis to excavate the ruins of Al-Serrian.

The group used the latest technology in their search such as drones, digital surveys and mapping, as well as 3D modeling which helped them uncover two graveyards with more than 100 tombs comprising several dozen tombstones, pottery and ironware.

Among the findings were also some chinawares from ancient China›s Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties. Jiang Bo, leader of the Chinese archeological team to Saudi Arabia, noted the significance of the discoveries to the ancient Maritime Silk Road trading route.

“This is a very important archeological achievement of our Maritime Silk Road, and it has also been recognized by the Saudi archaeologists. We have forged a good cooperative relationship with the Saudi archeologists this time,” said Jiang.

The joint archeological project will last for five years.

Abdulla Al-Zahrani, manager of the Saudi National Archeological Center, said the program will provide information to help learn more about ancient Islamic civilization. — Al Arabiya English