Port cities of the Arabian Peninsula in the 8th-10th centuries

Since ancient times up to the present day, Arabian ports have connected the peninsula with the rest of the world. They delivered various goods, both in terms of production and value, to various cities of the great caliphate. Sea voyages left sufficient evidence in Arab historical and geographical chronicles. The life of the ports is reflected in the literature of the time (for example, in the genre of picaresque novels). The subject of this research is the infrastructure of port cities. The object of study includes the ports and nearby cities as depicted in sources, along with indications of industries, crafts, and trade. The aim of the work is to interpret the transport, market, production, and institutional networks that connected the peninsula’s ports with other areas of the caliphate and countries. The methodology of this research is based on an infrastructural approach, including a comprehensive analysis of Arab historical and geographical chronicles (al-Muqaddasi, Ibn Khordadbeh, al-Tabari) and reports from contemporary archaeological expeditions conducted in the region. As a result, it was revealed that key ports (Aden, Suhar, Jeddah, al-Qulzum) functioned as sorting centers, effectively distributing the flow of resources between maritime routes and internal pathways. Major trade flows were identified: large-scale imports of porcelain, textiles, and spices from China and India, and exports of pearls, incense, gold, and slaves from Africa. The work described the features of the local production infrastructure: active shipbuilding, amber extraction, and craft workshops for glass and ceramics processing. The results of this work are applicable in studies of the economic history of the Middle Ages, historical geography, and the study of cross-cultural communications. The author concluded that by the 10th century, port cities were in a stage of active formation, but already had established maritime hubs. They ensured stable interregional communication, combining the functions of developed or developing craft centers and important transit points, supported by local governors.