The “Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea” exhibition at the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah is showcasing the Al-Shu’aybah coin hoard, a collection of Islamic silver coins recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Al-Shu’aybah, a historic port once used by pilgrims traveling to Makkah.
Dating from 1225 to 1350 CE, the coins provide insight into trade routes and economic activity across the Red Sea during the medieval Islamic period, highlighting the region’s maritime and commercial significance.
The importance of the Al-Shu’aybah hoard has been reinforced by efforts to recover the coins after they were taken outside Saudi Arabia, part of broader initiatives to safeguard cultural heritage and preserve archaeological artifacts.
About 300 silver coins have been recovered from the hoard, which is believed to have originally contained around 5,000 pieces.
The exhibition, which runs through May 29, features visual displays and interactive technology aimed at offering visitors an educational and cultural experience.
Artifacts recovered from the Red Sea illustrate centuries of maritime navigation and commercial and cultural exchange in the region.
