The Red Sea Museum, under the Museums Commission, announced the opening of "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea", running from February 25 to May 29.
The exhibition presents archaeological discoveries from the Red Sea as witnesses to human journeys, cultural exchange, and the enduring relationship between maritime heritage and environmental conservation, said the Museum Commission in a statement on Sunday.
"Sunken Treasures" invites visitors to discover how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs. Through archaeological artifacts, immersive visual experiences, and interactive technologies, the exhibition reveals the Red Sea coast as a cultural corridor upon which layers of history have accumulated over millennia.
Curated by Director of the Red Sea Museum Eman Zidan and Chief of the French-Saudi Archeological Mission in Farasân Islands Dr. Solène Marion de Procé, the exhibition unfolds across four thematic sections that together tell the story of maritime life, risk, and discovery in the Red Sea. The journey begins with "The Red Sea Passage", exploring how seasonal winds and navigation patterns shaped trade routes connecting the Mediterranean, southern Arabia, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean.
"Life Aboard the Ship" transports visitors into the world of historic seafarers, presenting the ship not just as a means of transport, but an integrated world of maritime voyages, where crew, cargo, and navigation tools reveal the accumulated expertise of reading the sea and sky. Pottery, coins, glass, and ceramic objects preserve stories of movement, connection, and communication across the Red Sea.
"Shipwrecks: From a Voyage to a Memory" explores the dramatic moment when journeys are cut short. Through storms, waves, or collision with coral reefs, vessels shift from means of crossing into silent traces.
"Exploring for Tomorrow" traces the transformation of shipwrecks from discovery to interpretation as scientific sources of knowledge. The section highlights conservation and restoration efforts carried out by the Heritage Commission and archaeological missions working on the Saudi coast of the Red Sea, following guidelines and frameworks that ensure protection for future generations.
"Sunken Treasures" demonstrates the Red Sea Museum's commitment to preserving the tangible, intangible, and natural heritage of the Red Sea while creating opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and sustainable development.
The exhibition is enriched through collaboration with key institutional partners, including the Heritage Commission and Historic Jeddah Program, who have loaned objects that strengthen the presentation of authentic material evidence of maritime and coastal heritage, reflecting a shared commitment to safeguarding the Maritime Heritage of Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition showcases the Red Sea Museum as a platform for knowledge creation and scientific research. It highlights how submerged cultural heritage is transformed into valuable historical knowledge through research-driven storytelling, while fostering collaboration between marine specialists, scientists, conservators, and the wider community.
