Pre-Islamic Ancient Well Discovered on Kuwait’s Failaka Island

A significant archaeological discovery on Failaka Island has revealed an ancient well, dating back to the pre-Islamic period and the early Islamic era, offering evidence of a thriving water source, luxurious dwellings, and a rich trade network of precious stones. The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced the finding of the remarkably large well within the courtyard of a grand house, estimated to have been built in the 7th and 8th centuries AD, located in the Al-Qusour area.

According to Mohammad bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Antiquities and Museums at NCCAL, the discovery also includes remnants of a massive wall surrounding the courtyard and fragments of pottery, estimated to be between 1,300 and 1,400 years old, highlighting 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 began in 2019 at Al-Qusour, 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 important archaeological discoveries on Failaka Island. He emphasized that the well and its surrounding artifacts provide crucial insights into the cultural and economic activities on the island during the transition from the Christian period to early Islam. Among the remarkable findings were more than five kilograms of precious stones, including rubies and purple amethyst, suggesting an active trade and economic network on the island 1,400 years ago.

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 had 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 extensive 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.

Cover Photo: Aerial photo of the discovered water well and the stairs leading to the bottom. – KUNA