Bone Box

The Bone Box was among the artifacts selected for display in the ‏Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition, held at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the capital of France, in 2010. The exhibition featured three hundred artifacts of various materials and periods, all original pieces from different provinces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These artifacts are categorized into three historical groups: prehistoric artifacts, pre-Islamic artifacts, and Islamic-era artifacts.

This small artifact is crafted from bone in the shape of a small rectangular box. It was used to store gaming and entertainment tools and was discovered at Qaryat al-Faw Archaeological Site, one of the most historically significant locations rich in discoveries. The site is located southeast of Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate in Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia.

The bone box features a movable lid with two perforations on one of its sides. The interior is divided into two sections: one spacious and the other narrow. The exterior surfaces are decorated with small pierced circles centered within them, as well as intersecting horizontal and vertical grooved lines.

Length: Nine cm.

Width: 5.2 cm.

Height: 4.7 cm.

The bone box dates back to a period between the third century BCE and the third century CE.

The box is registered under number 34 F 17 and is preserved in the Museum of the Department of Archeology at King Saud University in Riyadh. The box was displayed alongside other valuable archaeological finds from Saudi Arabia in the Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition. Its discovery is part of the archaeological survey and excavation efforts conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over recent years. It is one of the finds made by Saudi archaeologists, scientific expeditions, and joint research teams.

The artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of ancient artisans, who utilized various materials to create functional objects. The box also showcases an advanced understanding of measurements and proportions, while its decorative elements reflect an artistic approach to enhancing its aesthetic appeal.