Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - Tombstones dating back to the early Islamic period were found near the Al-Moalla Cemetery in Makkah, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).

Director General of the Registration and Preservation of Antiquities in the SCTH’s National Heritage Sector, Naif Al-Qanur, said the artifact was discovered when a contracting company carried out excavations for the construction of a smart parking lot near the ancient tomb located north of the Haram Mosque.

"The tombs with inscriptions that read Islamic calligraphy and a small portion of the discovered pottery, are all from the early Islamic period. "These pieces of artifacts were handed over to the SCTH so that experts in the antiques section could examine and study them in depth," he said.

Al-Qanur said every day a special team from the SCTH would follow up on the ongoing excavations at the site to anticipate the discovery of more artefacts or landmarks under the direct coordination of the Mayor of Makkah and the contracting companies, according to the Saudi Press Agency as quoted by the Saudi Gazette on Monday.

The Mayor has announced the discovery of the historic tombs through his official website on Saturday (Dec 29).

Reporting by Indonesia Window