Historical Discovery on Failaka Island: 1400-Year-Old Water Well and Precious Stones Unearthed

Failaka Island has once again proven its significance on the stage of history with recent archaeological excavations. The discovery announced by the Kuwait National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) includes a large water well found in the courtyard of a magnificent house dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD in the Al-Qusour region of the island, as well as important evidence of precious stone trade. These findings reveal that the island was a vibrant center of life and an important trade point in both the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.

According to the statements of Mohammad bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Antiquities and Museums at NCCAL, the discovered structures include the remains of a massive wall surrounding the courtyard and pottery fragments estimated to be 1300-1400 years old. These remnants highlight the historical importance of the island while also providing important clues about the living conditions of that era.

Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, describes this discovery as one of the most important archaeological finds on Failaka Island. The well and its surrounding artifacts provide critical information about the cultural and economic activities on the island during the transition from the Christian period to early Islam. In particular, the discovery of more than five kilograms of precious stones such as rubies and purple amethyst reveals the existence of an active trade and economic network on the island 1400 years ago.

Dr. Matej Rutkay, head of the Slovak mission, states that the excavation team will focus on the northern section of the Al-Qusour settlement in the 2025 season. This region had previously revealed evidence of a courtyard and a large house believed to belong to a prominent figure of that era. The newly discovered area is 38 meters long and 34 meters wide, with the house itself covering an area of 97 square meters. The well, 4.5 meters long and 4 meters wide, is located next to an ancient water channel, revealing the advanced infrastructure of the settlement.

The Al-Qusour region is considered one of the most important and extensive archaeological sites on Failaka Island. Stretching approximately two kilometers from east to west and one kilometer inland to the south, this region has yielded the foundations of churches, residential structures made of limestone and mud bricks, gypsum artifacts, pottery, and precious stones from different historical periods in previous excavations.

Aerial photo of the discovered water well and the stairs leading to the bottom. – KUNA photos