Ministry of Earth Sciences: The Red Palace as a Witness to the Relationship Between Geology and Historical Buildings
The Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences has confirmed a close relationship between geology and historical architecture, based on ancient builders’ total reliance on the natural resources available in their local environment. Rock formations and surface soils provided the geographical and structural foundation for constructing walls and palaces.
For his part, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, emphasized that the Red Palace in Al-Jahra City stands as a living example of this connection through its traditional architectural style. The building derived its visual and nominal identity directly from the geological characteristics of the dominant surface soils in its region, which supplied the essential raw materials for construction and restoration without the need to transport them from distant locations.
He explained that the clay layer used to plaster the palace walls consists of geological components resulting from the weathering and disintegration of silicate rocks over natural epochs. He noted that the local clay acquires its distinctive red color due to high concentrations of iron oxides embedded within the soil pores.
Al-Hajeri considered this natural geological mixture notable for its ease of shaping and application on walls, as well as its high thermal insulation capacity, absorbing daytime heat and radiating it slowly during the night.
He pointed out that there were designated pits and known sites in Kuwait in the past from which raw materials for plaster production were extracted. These sites were locally known as “Al-Migassah.” He added that these pits were filled with locally available fuel, such as the Arfaj plant, small wood pieces, household waste, and dried debris. Fire was lit in the pit and left to burn intensely for two to three days until the limestone layer was completely consumed, turning into ash and solid charred blocks.
He further stated that the Al-Farwaniya area was historically known for plaster production, where it was called “Ad-Dawgha.” The name derives from the large pits and kilns where plaster makers burned fire to manufacture plaster. These fires left traces of combustion and black deformations on the ground, leading locals to name the area “Ad-Dawgha.”
For his part, Adel Al-Sa’eedi, Secretary of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, said that the government historically allocated wide, open lands outside the city walls to be used as plaster pits, ensuring that homes would not be affected by the dense smoke produced by burning plaster. Among the most famous of these areas was the region located behind the Kuwait City wall near Al-Mirqab, as well as local pits and sites scattered in the Al-Jahra oasis to meet the construction needs of buildings there, such as the Red Palace.
He noted that the Red Palace, a historical fort located in the southeast of Al-Jahra City and built in 1897 by order of Kuwait’s ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, is one of the most prominent architectural and heritage symbols documenting the country’s history.
