Othman bin Affan Mosque reveals 1,300 years of Jeddah history

JEDDAH — An ancient structure of religious and historical significance, located between medieval buildings and up ancient pathways in Historic Jeddah, the Othman bin Affan Mosque stands as one of the city’s oldest archaeological landmarks, with origins dating back to 33 AH (654 CE). **media[2679820]** Recent excavations have uncovered 1,300 years worth of historical layers, revealing that the site ws used during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods to the Mamluk era. These caliphate periods were were rougly between 41 AH (661 CE) to 923 AH (1517 CE). **media[2679819]** The excavations revealed Jeddah’s ancient maritime trade links and its historical signifiance with the exposure of a sophisticated 800-year-old water system and rare ebony columns in the mihrab. Scientific analysis traced the water system and ebony columns back to ancient Ceylon (Sri Lanka), highlighitng Jeddah’s historical significance in trade. The site’s seven architectural phases have been digitally documented, showcasing traditional coastal construction using coral stone and wood. **media[2679822]** Early Chinese porcelain, among thousands of artifacts that were discovered, confirms the mosque’s role as a cultural record of Jeddah’s history since Caliph Othman bin Affan designated the city as the primary Islamic port. Today, the mosque serves as a major destination on Jeddah’s cultural routes, blending Islamic history with contemporary activities to preserve the Kingdom’s architectural and religious identity. **media[2679818]**