26 February 2026, Saudi Arabia, JEDDAH: 25 February 2026, Saudi Arabia, JEDDAH: The Red Sea Museum celebrated the opening of Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea ( : ) last night with an opening event that brought together cultural leaders, researchers, and community partners at the historic Bab Al Bunt building in Historic Jeddah.
Guests then embarked on an exclusive curator-led tour with Eman Zidan, Director of the Red Sea Museum, and Dr. Solne Marion de Proc, Co-Director, Saudi-French Archaeological Mission in Farasan (Heritage Commission, Paris 1), who guided visitors through the exhibition’s four thematic sections exploring how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs.
The opening ceremony featured a dynamic panel discussion on maritime heritage and underwater archaeology, bringing together leading experts such as Dr. Maged Elenzi, Director of Underwater Cultural Heritage at the Heritage Commission; Dr. Chiara Zazzaro, Professor of Maritime Archaeology at Universit di Napoli L’Orientale and Director of the Saudi-Italian Mission in Umlujj; Dr. Mohamed Osman, Director of the Coptite and Theban Eastern Desert Hinterland Survey Project (CTEDH) and Research Fellow for the MarEA Project at the University of Southampton; and Hussah AlSudairy, Director of Archaeology for the Jeddah Historic Program. The discussion explored the critical processes of discovery, documentation, and conservation that transform submerged cultural heritage into valuable historical knowledge, highlighting collaborative efforts between the Heritage Commission, Historic Jeddah Program, and various archaeological missions working along the Saudi coast of the Red Sea to safeguard this vital heritage for future generations.
The evening concluded with a Ramadan reception, reflecting the museum’s commitment to creating cultural programming that honors the spirit of the holy month while celebrating the launch of this significant exhibition.
Sunken Treasures presents archaeological discoveries from the Red Sea coastline as witnesses to centuries of trade, navigation, and human connection. Through artifacts recovered from underwater sites, the exhibition reveals the Red Sea coast as a cultural corridor where civilizations from Africa, Arabia, and Asia have met for millennia. Interactive displays and immersive visual experiences invite visitors to witness how underwater archaeology transforms discoveries into knowledge while raising awareness about protecting both maritime heritage and the Red Sea’s fragile marine environment.
The exhibition demonstrates the Red Sea Museum’s role as a platform for knowledge creation and scientific research, showcasing rigorous archaeological methodology while making complex research accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Enriched through collaboration with the Heritage Commission and Historic Jeddah Program, Sunken Treasures reflects a shared commitment to preserving and sharing the maritime heritage of Saudi Arabia.
The opening of Sunken Treasures represents a significant moment for the Red Sea Museum as Saudi Arabia’s first institution dedicated specifically to the Red Sea’s maritime history, cultural heritage, and biodiversity. Housed in the beautifully restored Bab Al Bunt building, a structure that has welcomed travelers arriving by sea for generations, the museum exemplifies how historic artifacts and contemporary cultural conservation work hand in hand.
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors while positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in museum innovation, research, and public engagement. The Red Sea Museum, as the first fully inclusive and accessible museum in Saudi Arabia, reflects this commitment to excellence and the belief that cultural institutions should welcome and engage everyone.
Through exhibitions like Sunken Treasures, robust public programming, and partnerships with leading research institutions, the Red Sea Museum fulfills its mandate to preserve heritage while creating opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and sustainable development. The museum’s work demonstrates that cultural heritage is not a static archive, but a living repository of ongoing human history, connecting us to where we come from while inspiring where we are going.
Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea is now open to the public through 29 May 2026 at the Red Sea Museum, Historic Jeddah.