A remarkable archaeological discovery has been made on Failaka Island, a historically significant site in the Persian Gulf with ties to Alexander the Great. Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) has announced the unearthing of an ancient courtyard and building dating back nearly 2,300 years to the Hellenistic period.
A Glimpse into Failaka’s Hellenistic Past
Failaka Island was once home to a Greek city founded by Alexander the Great, known as "Ikaros." The island's modern name is believed to have originated from the Greek word fylakio (meaning "outpost" or "garrison").
This latest discovery was made by a Kuwaiti-Italian archaeological team excavating the Al-Qurainiya site, which has been a focal point of research since 2014.
Mohammad bin Redha, Deputy Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums, revealed details of the find through the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
A 2,000-Year-Old Structure Filled with Ceramic Artifacts
Located in the northern part of Failaka, overlooking the sea, Al-Qurainiya has yielded evidence of human activity spanning multiple historical periods—from pre-Islamic times to the early and late Islamic eras.
Excavations have uncovered stone foundations, an inner wall, and an entrance connecting an outdoor courtyard to a room containing gypsum-plastered walls and a wealth of ceramic artifacts, all estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
Bin Redha explained that the site's oldest layers date back to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, making it one of the island’s most significant archaeological sites.
A key factor in the success of these ongoing excavations has been the collaboration between NCCAL and the University of Perugia in Italy, led by Dr. Andrea De Micheli.
Failaka: A Hub of Ancient Greek Influence in the Persian Gulf
Currently, NCCAL is expanding its partnerships with institutions such as Kuwait University and international laboratories to analyze construction materials like gypsum and clay used in the site's ceramics.
Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, a professor of archaeology and anthropology at Kuwait University, described the discovery as a major breakthrough in the study of Failaka’s history.
Previously, most Hellenistic-period findings were concentrated in the southwestern part of the island. However, these newly uncovered structures in the north suggest that Greek influence extended much further than previously believed.
This hints that Al-Qurainiya may have been more than just a residential settlement—it could have served as a strategic control point or a port, alongside hosting Greek-style homes, fortifications, and temples.
The Site’s Abandonment and Rediscovery
Dr. De Micheli noted that the 2025 excavation season will focus on the western section of Al-Qurainiya, which predates the Islamic era.
Findings so far indicate that the site was continuously inhabited for over 1,800 years, with structures from the Hellenistic period coexisting alongside early and late Islamic-era buildings.
From 2014 to 2020, excavations uncovered several structures, mainly houses from the 8th century CE, during the early Islamic period. Evidence suggests the site was abandoned between the late 8th and early 9th centuries but saw renewed human activity in the second half of the 18th century, lasting into the early 20th century.
Daily Life in Ancient Failaka
The discovery of large quantities of pottery and ancient kilns provides valuable insights into the daily lives of Al-Qurainiya’s past inhabitants.
The archaeological site spans approximately 500 meters along the coastline and extends 250 meters inland. Within this area, numerous limestone, mudbrick, and ceramic structures from various historical periods have been uncovered—solidifying Al-Qurainiya’s status as one of Failaka Island’s most significant archaeological sites.
