Jordan underwater survey finds parts of Islamic-era port
Scans show underwater barrier believed to be part of the centuries-old Red Sea port of Ayla
AMMAN, Jordan — Officials said Jordan’s first underwater archaeological survey has detected the outlines of a stone barrier, believed to be part of the centuries-old Red Sea port of Ayla, near the modern city of Aqaba.
Ehab Eid, head of the Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan, said Tuesday that the survey spotted an underwater barrier with an L-shape that is about 50 meters long and eight meters wide.
He said experts expected to find other port facilities in the future.
“Work is underway to identify the extent of the activity of the port of Ayla, which links the commercial road from the Levant, Hijaz, Egypt, and the Maghreb with the maritime navigational route that reaches India, east and south Asia, and Africa,” Eid told The Jordan Times.
According to the study results: “The barrier is connected to a solid mud floor which extends outside the coast. The solid mud floor was found to be interspersed with a two-lane corridor which connects the port and the sea gate to the city and its stores. It is suggested that the lane was used for the transport of the port’s imports and exports.”
The port of Ayla was active from the 7th to the 12th century, part of a trade route linking the Levant with other parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
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Initial excavations in search of Ayla’s ruins were conducted along the beach of Aqaba from 1986-1997.
Jordan’s Princess Basma, paternal aunt to King Abdullah II and president of the Royal Marine Conservation Society, said, “Understanding our cultural and historical values is a tool to increase our commitment towards Jordan and the conservation of its heritage and values.”
