Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered the remains of a 1,200-year-old mosque in the Negev Desert, a finding considered one of the rarest examples of early Muslim sites in the world. The discovery was made during archaeological excavations in 2019, conducted prior to the planned construction of a new settlement in the Bedouin city of Rahat, southern Israel.
The mosque consists of a rectangular structure featuring a distinctive mihrab – a niche indicating the direction of Mecca – facing south. This architectural feature confirms the building was used for Islamic prayer in the early days of Islam.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
The excavation was led by archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), who believe the structure may have served as a rural mosque for local farming communities.
According to excavation leader Jon Seligman, findings like this are crucial to understanding the early history of Islam in the region.
“This building represents one of the earliest examples of Muslim settlement in the Negev and its ritual function, something that is exceptionally rare in Islamic archaeology,” Seligman said.
|
Foto: Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority
|
The discovery provides a broader picture of how local populations adapted and interacted with the new culture brought by Muslim rule following the Arab conquest of the Levant in the 7th century CE. Experts similarly found evidence of settlements and agricultural activity around the mosque, reinforcing understanding of community life during this transitional period.
Historian Gideon Avni stated that the find is an important contribution to reconstructing the history of a dynamic period in the area now known as Israel.
“The discovery of the village and the mosque contributes significantly to the study of the history of the region during this turbulent period,” he said.
Dating back over a millennium, the mosque’s remains help fill gaps in knowledge about the early development of Islamic religious institutions outside major centers like Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem, particularly in the remote Negev region. The find offers valuable insight into the spread of Islam beyond its core territories.
(rns/afr)
