The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area

Glass Cup from Qaryat Al-Faw Site (4th Century BC – 3rd Century AD) Saudi Arabia: An Analytical and Typological Study

A rare Roman glass cup, discovered at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qaryat Al-Faw in Saudi Arabia, provides evidence of long-distance trade and cultural exchange during the 1st to 2nd century AD. The cup, featuring Egyptian motifs unique to the Arabian Peninsula, was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), confirming its soda glass composition and suggesting an origin in Alexandria, Egypt. Archaeological excavations at Qaryat Al-Faw, capital of the ancient Kindah kingdom, have yielded no evidence of local glass production, reinforcing the hypothesis that such items were imported. This finding sheds light on the site's role as a hub for commerce and cultural exchange during the Roman period.