Archaeological Excavations Unveil The Rich History Of Jeddah's Othman Bin Affan Mosque

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), maintaining the traditional architectural style characteristic of the region's mosques at that time. This style typically includes an open courtyard leading into a roofed prayer hall. Despite various changes over the centuries, the mosque's size, orientation, and mihrab niche have remained largely consistent.

The excavations also uncovered changes in flooring styles over time, transitioning from clay tile and plaster to flagstone, which was in use for about 400 years. The floor level was raised during renovations, with flagstone flooring being reused until the early 20th century AD. Another significant discovery was an underground cistern system beneath the mosque, sealed and filled with crystal-clear water for almost 800 years. Such cisterns were common in historic Jeddah due to the city's limited water resources.

The archaeological efforts have unearthed thousands of artefacts, including fragments of Chinese blue and white porcelain from the 11th century AH (17th century AD) and Celadon ware from the 4th-6th century AH (11th-13th century AD), known for its soft green-grey glaze. Among the earliest finds were fragments of white, green, and yellow glazed pottery dating back to the 3rd-4th century AH (9th-10th century AD).

This excavation project not only highlights the rich history of the Othman bin Affan Mosque but also contributes to our understanding of Jeddah's historical significance as a city. The artefacts and structural changes discovered offer a glimpse into the architectural and cultural evolution of this historic site over more than a millennium.

With inputs from SPA