Archaeologists in Ramat Gan, Israel, have uncovered a sprawling 1,300-year-old industrial and commercial complex dating back to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods (seventh to eighth centuries A.D.). The discovery was made during excavations ahead of the construction of a new bus terminal, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The site, located near a significant route connecting the historic cities of Jaffa, Ramla, and Jerusalem, revealed a meticulously planned urban area with intersecting streets. Lined with these streets were numerous rooms identified as shops or warehouses, alongside plastered industrial facilities and pottery kilns. Excavation directors described the findings as exceeding expectations, noting the organized layout and sophisticated engineering.
"Together, these finds provide a vivid reflection of the period’s culture, trade and economy," the IAA stated. The complex appears to have been constructed with the knowledge of regional authorities, who may have funded or initiated the project. The location offered fertile agricultural land and access to water sources.
Artifacts recovered from the site include numerous bronze tableware and cosmetic implements, iron tools, dozens of coins, and a large quantity of pottery and glass vessel fragments, both local and imported. These discoveries offer a detailed glimpse into the daily life, commerce, and craftsmanship of the era.
During the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, the region was home to diverse Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Samaritan communities, though the specific inhabitants of this complex remain unknown. The complex operated for approximately 150 years before being abandoned under circumstances that are still under investigation. The site was later resettled in the 10th century with residential buildings and production facilities, including numerous clay-baking ovens, before being abandoned again in the late 11th century, prior to the arrival of the Crusaders.
The discovery adds to a series of significant archaeological finds in Israel in recent months, including marble statues found near Binyamina and an ancient tunnel discovered in Jerusalem.