Island of Secrets: Archaeologists have uncovered ancient structures from the Hellenistic period (photos included).

Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient structure on Failaka Island, Kuwait, dating back to around 2300 years during the Hellenistic period. The excavations conducted by a Kuwaiti-Italian team in Al-Qurainiya revealed a courtyard and a building, shedding new light on the historical significance of the island, writes Arkeonews.

The Al-Qurainiya area, located in the northern part of Failaka Island, has long been known for its multilayered history, preserving traces of habitation from pre-Islamic times through the early and late Islamic periods.

Recent excavations uncovered stone foundations, an inner wall, and an entrance leading to a room with plastered walls and fragments of pottery that are over 2,000 years old.

Mohammad bin Redha, the acting Assistant Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) for Antiquities and Museums, stated that the oldest layers at this site date back to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, enhancing its significance as one of the largest archaeological sites on the island.

This research is part of an ongoing collaboration between NCCAL and the University of Perugia in Italy, led by Dr. Andrea De Michelis. Current efforts aim to expand cooperation with institutions such as Kuwait University and international laboratories for advanced material analyses, including studies on the composition of gypsum and clay in pottery production.

Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, a professor of archaeology and anthropology at Kuwait University, emphasized the importance of this discovery. He noted that while past findings from the Hellenistic period were concentrated in the southwestern part of the island, the recently discovered structures in the north indicate a broad Hellenistic presence.

This suggests that Al-Qurainiya may have served not only as a settlement but also as a strategic site that could potentially have functioned as a port or administrative center.

Looking ahead, Dr. De Michelis outlined plans for the 2025 excavation season, focusing on the western sector of Al-Qurainiya, an area predating the Islamic period.

Previous studies conducted from 2014 to 2020 uncovered numerous structures, including early Islamic residences from the 8th century CE. Findings indicate that the site was abandoned in the 9th century but resettled in the late 18th century, with habitation continuing until the early 20th century.

The discovery of clay pottery and kilns provides valuable insights into the daily life of the settlement. Extending approximately 500 meters along the coastline and 250 meters inland, this site contains a variety of architectural ruins constructed from limestone, mud brick, and ceramics, further affirming its significance as one of the largest archaeological sites on Failaka Island.