The discovery of two ebony poles in the Othman bin Affan Mosque, dating back to the first and second centuries AH (Saudi News Agency)
The Historic Jeddah Program announced the discovery of two ebony masts in the Othman bin Affan Mosque dating back to the first and second centuries AH (seventh and eighth AD). The two masts are classified as among the oldest artifacts discovered at the site so far.
The Saudi News Agency (SPA) said that the excavation teams found two octagonal columns made of rare ebony wood in the mosque’s niche, and they likely date back to the early Islamic era, specifically during the first and second centuries AH (seventh and eighth AD), according to laboratory analyses, while it is likely Scholars believe that the two poles date back to an earlier stage of the mosque’s construction, and decorative elements were placed below the sides of the mihrab.
The historic Othman bin Affan Mosque in Jeddah was called the Ebony Mosque in the past due to the presence of two ebony masts (Saudi News Agency)
It is noteworthy that the discovery of the two poles in the Othman bin Affan Mosque - may God be pleased with him - comes within a group of archaeological discoveries announced by the Historic Jeddah Program as part of the results of the first phase of the archaeological project.
More than a month ago, the “Historic Jeddah” program, in cooperation with the Saudi Heritage Authority, announced the discovery of approximately 25,000 remains of archaeological materials, the oldest of which date back to the first and second centuries AH (seventh and eighth AD) in 4 historical sites.
The historical sites included the Othman bin Affan Mosque - may God be pleased with him -, the archaeological shuna, parts of the eastern moat, and the northern wall.
Archaeological survey and excavation work, which began in 2020, resulted in the discovery of ceramic materials, shell materials, metal materials, and building materials, in addition to animal bones.
The interior of the ancient Shuna Castle tower in the Al-Balad area in Jeddah (Saudi News Agency)
Studies in the Othman bin Affan Mosque have revealed archaeological materials, the oldest of which are likely to date back to the first and second centuries AH. The materials discovered in the mosque included a variety of ceramic vessels and pieces of high-quality porcelain, some of which were made in kilns in the Chinese province of Jiangxi. Approximately between the 10th and 13th centuries AH (16th and 19th AD), in addition to pottery vessels dating - according to the latest studies found - to the Abbasid era.
At the Shouna archaeological site, the historical sequence of the architectural remains dates back to at least the 13th century AH (approximately the 19th century AD), with evidence of archaeological remains dating back historically to approximately the 10th century AH (approximately the 16th century AD).
During excavations at the Al-Kidwa site (Bab Mecca), parts of the eastern moat were discovered, which likely dates back to the late 12th century AH (late 18th century AD).
It is noteworthy that the work of the Antiquities Project in the Historic Jeddah Region began in 2020, as the project began its work by preparing exploratory studies and conducting a geophysical survey to uncover landmarks submerged in the ground, in 4 historical sites that include the Othman bin Affan Mosque, the Shuna site, parts of the northern wall, and the area The kiddo.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies