In Saudi Arabia.. Discovery of an Ancient Mosque Dating Back to the First Century AH

- The Heritage Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the discovery of an ancient mosque dating back to the first century of the Hijra, along with other archaeological finds, as part of the fourth season of the archaeological excavation project at the Al-Ma'malah archaeological site in the Al-Baha region, according to a statement published on the official website of the Saudi Press Agency "SPA" on Sunday. The mosque, which is over 1,300 years old, was found in a residential area on the western side of the site, constructed with hewn granite stones.

The Heritage Authority highlighted Islamic inscriptions that adorned the walls of the mosque, one of which includes a prayer for the Prophet Muhammad, as mentioned on its page via the "X" platform on Sunday. Its structure features a unique layout that combines precision and simplicity in the design of the mihrab, entrances, and minaret, according to the statement, while the length of its wall from north to south is 16 meters, and from east to west is 10 meters.

Surrounding it are several adjoining stone rooms that were used for social and commercial purposes, featuring intricate architectural details such as storages, basins, and supports that reflect the local building style of that era. The scientific team also documented a variety of archaeological finds that represent aspects of life in the community at the site in the past, including parts of vessels made from soapstone, others made of pottery in various shapes, along with finely carved stone tools such as mortars, pestles, and parts of a mill (an ancient tool for grinding grains), which contribute to revealing the features of daily activities and the craftsmanship skills of the inhabitants of the Al-Ma'malah site in ancient times.

The region is considered one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the Al-Baha area, as it was among the sites where mineral resources such as gold, silver, and copper were extracted, due to its archaeological evidence and tools related to the extraction, processing, and production of these resources. Therefore, the site transformed during the Islamic eras into an important economic destination for craftsmen and tradesmen such as metal traders and laborers.