Saudi Arabia discovers first-century Hijri Islamic mosque at Al Maallamah site

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has uncovered a mosque from the first century of the Islamic calendar at the Al Maallamah site in the southwestern Baha region, providing fresh insights into the Kingdom's early Islamic architectural and religious history. The mosque, discovered during the fourth season of excavations, is constructed from dressed granite stones with a design characterized by simplicity and precision in its mihrab, entrances, and minaret.

The structure spans 16 meters north to south and 10 meters east to west, with adjoining stone rooms believed to have served social and commercial purposes, including storage areas, basins, and structural supports. Archaeologists also unearthed various artifacts such as soapstone and pottery fragments, along with stone tools, pestles, and grinding stone remnants.

These findings shed light on the daily life and craftsmanship of the settlement's inhabitants. Al Maallamah, one of Baha's most significant archaeological sites, was historically linked to gold, silver, and copper ore extraction. Laboratory tests on organic samples from earlier excavation seasons revealed mining activity began in the pre-Islamic era, lasting from the late sixth to the ninth century AD.

The Heritage Commission plans to continue archaeological surveys and excavations across Saudi Arabia while developing techniques to document and safeguard discoveries as part of preserving the Kingdom's cultural heritage.