Jeddah, July (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 19 يوليو 2026ء) The exhibition also takes visitors on a journey through its "From Voyage to Shipwreck" section, tracing the story of the Umluj Shipwreck.
Once a merchant vessel measuring about 40 meters in length, it struck coral reefs off the coast of Umluj and came to rest at a depth of 22 meters. It later became an archaeological site that has preserved the memory of the Red Sea for more than two centuries.
The site was discovered in 2007, and archaeological excavations began in 2015. The excavations uncovered earthenware jars, blue-and-white Chinese porcelain dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as artifacts reflecting the nature of the ship's commercial cargo.
After the shipwreck, sediment gradually covered the site, and coral reefs grew around it, transforming it into a location of both archaeological significance and natural richness. The exhibition concludes this section with an interactive experience that raises awareness of the importance of protecting submerged archaeological sites.
The exhibition also illustrates how the remains of a seafaring voyage were transformed into a submerged archive preserving traces of those who sailed the Red Sea and the cargo they carried.
It also underscores the importance of maritime heritage as an integral part of Saudi Arabia's cultural legacy while raising awareness of the need to protect and preserve underwater archaeological sites for future generations.
