ʿAynuna

History

ʿAynuna is a wadi with freshwater springs, near the coast. Archaeologists have found a port and a small town here, active between the 1st century BC and the Byzantine period: warehouses, a fortress, tombs. Several researchers identify it with Leuke Kome, “the white village”, a port mentioned in a Greek sailing guide of the 1st century, the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

Since 2014, a mission from the University of Warsaw and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage has been excavating the site.

Some authors of the Exodus theory place “Marah” or “Elim”, places in the Bible, here. The early Arab geographers do not speak of ʿAynuna under this name.

What is certain and what is not

• Certain: a Nabataean-Roman port and town, excavated since 2014.
• Researchers' hypothesis: Leuke Kome.
• Modern theory: “Marah” or “Elim”. No support.
• Practical: in the NEOM zone. Access is controlled, to check on site.

Sources

1. University of Warsaw, ʿAynuna archaeological mission (since 2014).
2. Ingraham, Johnson, Rihani & Shatla, “Saudi Arabian Comprehensive Survey Program”, Atlal 5, 1981.