Abstract:
As part of the ongoing historical research and urban development initiative in Jeddah's historic al-Balad district, our team, commissioned by the Saudi Ministry of Culture (MoC), has been conducting archaeological investigations at several sites. A key focus has been the Uthman bin Affan Mosque, the oldest continuously used religious structure in the heart of al-Balad.
This mosque, despite its historical significance, had never undergone archaeological examination until our recent work. Our excavations have revealed multiple construction phases, spanning from modern times back to at least the 10th century CE. While the earliest foundation level remains elusive, our research has uncovered substantial changes in the mosque's architecture and layout.
This presentation will outline the archaeological work conducted during several campaigns from 2020 to 2024, and present some preliminary conclusions.