Discover Al-Sereen, the pre-Islamic port of Makkah

AL-LITH: The secret history of Al-Sereen, one of the most important ports of Makkah from the 3rd to the 8th century AH, has been revealed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).
“Al-Sereen” refers to two valleys, Al-Arj and Elleib, which are the most famous valleys of Makkah, and the area is fertile agricultural land. But it contains many archaeological treasures about historical periods dating back to the pre-Islamic era.
The site of the city is 245km south of Makkah. It represents the nearest meeting-point for important administrative regions in the Kingdom: Makkah, Baha and Asir.
Ali Al-Ghubban, vice president of the SCTH and supervisor of the Program of Caring for the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage, explained that the site of Al-Sereen is characterized by many fractured “celadon,” a kind of porcelain that was imported from China 1,000 years ago.
A team from the Chinese Antiquities Department visited the area, he said, and were “impressed by the nature of the site and the archaeological formations available in it. They are enthusiastic to begin the implementation of a survey and field exploration.”