Over 300 archaeological specimens discovered in Karaouine mosque

2007-03-12

While repairing the floor of the great prayer hall in Karaouine Mosque, workers discovered archaeological remains dating back to the 12th century.

Text and photos by Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Fez –12/03/07

Some of the motifs on the walls were never previously seen.

Rare remains dating back to the 12th century have been discovered in the 9th century Karaouine Mosque in Fez. According to archaeologist Ahmed Tahiri, stonework structures were discovered buried underneath the floor of the central prayer hall of the famous mosque during restoration work. An archaeological dig made over an area measuring around 172 square metres unveiled a number of dwelling-houses and a cul-de-sac.

"This archaeological find relates to four periods, all of them prior to the Almoravid expansion [of the mosque] in 529AH (1134AD), and dates back to the period immediately after the first Karaouine Mosque was built in 245AH (859AD)," Tahiri explained. He added that the remains relate to the Almoravid Dynasty, whose major architectural monuments were later altered or rebuilt by the Almohads. "This is why the historic monuments of the Almoravids are among the rarest of all from Moroccan history, and it’s also why this find is particularly important."

In all, over 300 items were discovered during the dig. According to Tahiri, the painted plaster found on some of the walls of the houses constitutes examples of lines and decorative motifs never previously seen.

The restructuring work began on the Karaouine mosque in January 2006 and is due to be completed in June. "We are at an important stage in repairs to a place of worship which has suffered severe infrastructure problems. We must restore it in the proper way. Things are all go at the moment," contractor Mohamed Fikri Benabdellah, said.

The restoration work will finish in June.

Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Taoufiq told Magharebia that most of the work has been completed. "We’re in the final stage now because we’ve managed to overcome some technical hitches. We now expect the contractor to keep to the timetable set out in the specifications. In any case, I think the Karaouine mosque will be ready by next Ramadan," Taoufiq said. The total cost of the restoration will be $3.1m.

The mosque was built by Fatima Fihria, the daughter of a wealthy Tunisian merchant from Kairouan in 859AD and forms the central hub of the medina of Fez. Covering a total surface area of 7,800 square metres, it can hold up to 10,000 worshippers. At one time it was one of the greatest universities of the Muslim world, attracting students from Africa, Europe and the Arabian Peninsula who came to study medicine, philosophy, theology and literature.