KUWAIT: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced the discovery of an ancient well on Failaka Island, dating back to the pre-Islamic period and the early Islamic era. The well, notable for its large size and abundant water supply, was found within the courtyard of a large house dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD, according to Acting Assistant Secretary General for Antiquities and Museums at NCCAL Mohammad bin Redha.
Speaking to KUNA, bin Redha revealed that the discovery also includes rock foundations of an adjacent structure, evidence of a massive wall surrounding the courtyard, and remnants of pottery estimated to be between 1,300 and 1,400 years old, reflecting the island’s historical significance during both the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods. The excavation is part of an ongoing project led by the Kuwaiti-Slovakian archaeological mission, which commenced in 2019 in the Al-Qusour area — one of the island’s largest and most historically rich sites.
Dr Hassan Ashkanani, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, described the find as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries on Failaka Island. He emphasized that the well and surrounding artifacts provide crucial insight into the cultural and economic activity on the island during the transition from the Christian period to early Islam. Among the remarkable findings was more than five kilograms of precious stones, including rubies and purple amethyst, which suggest an active trade and economic network on the island 1,400 years ago.
Meanwhile, Dr Matej Rutkay, head of the Slovak mission, stated that the excavation team will shift its focus to the northern section of the Al-Qusour settlement in the 2025 season. This area previously yielded evidence of a courtyard and a large house, believed to have belonged to a prominent figure of that era. The newly discovered site measures 38 meters in length and 34 meters in width, while the house itself covers an area of 97 square meters. The well, measuring 4.5 meters in length and 4 meters in width, is situated next to an ancient water channel, further highlighting the settlement’s sophisticated infrastructure.
The Al-Qusour site is regarded as one of the most significant and expansive archaeological locations on Failaka Island, stretching approximately two kilometers from east to west and extending one kilometer inland to the south. Previous excavations have unearthed the foundations of churches, residential structures built from limestone and mud bricks, as well as gypsum artifacts, pottery, and precious stones from different historical periods. Failaka Island remains a focal point for archaeological research, offering invaluable insights into Kuwait’s rich cultural heritage and its role in regional history. — KUNA