100 Pieces of Abbasid Gold Jewellery Unearthed at Qassim

A collection of Abbasid era gold jewellery has been uncovered at the Dariyah archaeological site in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region during the fourth season of excavation and survey work. The Heritage Commission said the find comprises around 100 gold pieces believed to form a complete jewellery set from the Abbasid period.

According to archaeologists, the artefacts feature floral decorative motifs arranged in geometric patterns, including multi-petalled flower designs centred with coloured stones mounted in gold frames. The collection includes a large circular ornament inlaid with coloured stones in a symmetrical design, alongside multi-coloured beads and finely crafted gold separators.

Officials noted that the jewellery was produced using advanced techniques including hand-hammering and shaping of gold sheets, decorative embossing and stone inlay work.

Excavations at the site also revealed architectural remains from the same period, including stone building foundations, mud walls, fire pits, plastered rooms, pottery vessels and metal tools.

The findings indicate human settlement at the site dating back to the late third century AH and underscore the strategic importance of Dariyah along historic Hajj and trade routes. The discovery forms part of broader efforts to document, preserve and study archaeological sites across the kingdom in line with the cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.