An inscription bearing the name of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab has been discovered in Saudi Arabia. The country’s Heritage Commission announced that the finding was made during an archaeological survey in the Medina province. The discovery was part of a broader exploration that uncovered a total of 1,774 archaeological artifacts.

According to the Heritage Commission, the survey teams documented 173 previously unknown archaeological sites. Among the discoveries were 1,259 inscriptions, including 461 Islamic inscriptions, 34 written in the Thamudic language, 11 stone structures, three palaces and archaeological buildings, two caravan route milestones, and four wells. The newly found inscription featuring Caliph Umar’s name is considered one of the significant findings from the survey.

The commission noted that Umar ibn al-Khattab ruled the Islamic empire from 634 to 644 CE. The discovery adds to the growing record of early Islamic-era artifacts in the region, highlighting Medina’s historical importance in Islamic civilization.