Tayma and the sea – marine goods in an Arabian oasis settlement

Marine goods found in the oasis of Taymāʾ (Northwest Arabia), 300 km away from the nearest coast of the Red Sea, illustrate the economic importance and prosperity of the site. Excavations of the Saudi-German collaborative project revealed 631 marine specimens of 5 animal classes: coral, gastropods, bivalves, scaphopods and fish. The finds origin from various contexts (burial ground, public buildings, private houses and agricultural areas) and encompass occupation periods from the 3rd millennium BC to the 7th century AD onwards with an increased incidence of shell artefacts from the 11th to the 9th century AD. Variety and quantity of these goods within specific contexts urge new reflections on utilisation, commerce and transport.