Exploring The Rich History Of Othman Bin Affan Mosque Through Archaeological Finds

The Jeddah Historic District Program recently shared insights from the archaeological excavations at Othman bin Affan Mosque, marking a significant phase in the Archaeology Project in Historic Jeddah. These findings shed light on the mosque's extensive history, revealing artefact fragments that trace back nearly 1,200 years.

According to the details provided, the mosque has seen numerous renovations and reconstructions throughout its existence. Notably, its latest renovation occurred in the 14th century AH (late 20th century AD), adhering to the modern architectural style. However, all preceding architectural phases maintained the traditional design prevalent in the region's mosques at those times. This design typically featured an open courtyard leading into a roofed prayer hall. Despite various changes over the millennia, the mosque's size, orientation, and mihrab niche have remained remarkably consistent.

One of the significant alterations highlighted in the press release pertains to the mosque's flooring and elevation. Initially featuring clay tile and plaster, the flooring evolved to flagstone, which was in use for about 400 years. Throughout renovations, while the floor level was periodically raised, the flagstone flooring was reused up until the early 20th century AD.

Another fascinating discovery was an underground cistern system beneath the mosque. Archaeologists uncovered cisterns filled with crystal-clear water that had been sealed and left undisturbed by their builders for almost 800 years. The presence of such cisterns underlines historic Jeddah's innovative solutions to counteract its scarce water supply.

The excavation unearthed thousands of archaeological finds that illustrate the mosque's long history. Among these finds were fragments of Chinese blue and white porcelain from the 11th century AH (17th century AD) and Chinese Celadon ware from the 4th-6th century AH (11th-13th century AD), known for its soft green-grey coloured glaze. Additionally, some of the earliest artefacts discovered include fragments of white, green, and yellow glazed pottery dating back to the 3rd-4th century AH (9th-10th century AD).

This extensive archaeological endeavour not only enriches our understanding of Othman bin Affan Mosque's historical significance but also contributes valuable insights into the broader historical context of Historic Jeddah. The findings underscore the area's rich cultural heritage and its pivotal role in regional history.

With inputs from SPA