Jeddah, March 03, 2024, The Jeddah Historic District Program has revealed the outcomes of the archaeological dig at Othman bin Affan Mosque, marking a significant milestone in the inaugural phase of the Archaeology Project in Historic Jeddah, as per a press release from the program.
The excavations have unveiled profound insights into the mosque's historical evolution, unearthing a plethora of artifact fragments, some tracing back nearly 1,200 years.
According to the release, the archaeological findings shed light on the mosque's extensive history of renovations and reconstructions. With its current modern iteration dating back to the 14th century AH (late 20th century AD), all prior architectural phases adhered to the traditional mosque style prevalent in the region at that time, featuring an open courtyard leading to a roofed prayer hall. Remarkably, the mosque's dimensions, alignment, and mihrab niche remained largely unchanged for over a millennium.
Alterations in the mosque's structure primarily manifested in elevation and flooring techniques. Initially constructed with clay tile and plaster flooring, it transitioned to flagstone, which remained in use for approximately 400 years. Throughout renovations, the floor level was periodically elevated, with the same flagstone flooring being reused until the early 20th century AD.
Furthermore, a notable addition to the mosque's infrastructure was the installation of an underground cistern system beneath the premises. Archaeologists unearthed cisterns "sealed and filled with crystal-clear water, left untouched by their builders for almost 800 years," the release mentioned. Such subterranean cisterns were a common feature in historic Jeddah, owing to the city's limited water resources.
The release highlights that the 1,200-year timeline of Othman bin Affan Mosque is illustrated through a myriad of archaeological discoveries, ranging from fragments of 11th century AH (17th century AD) Chinese blue and white porcelain to 4th-6th century AH (11th-13th century AD) Chinese Celadon ware renowned for its soft green-grey glaze. Among the earliest artifacts found at the mosque are fragments of white, green, and yellow glazed pottery, dated by experts to the 3rd- 4th century AH (9th-10th century AD).
