Al Madinah
Destinations / Inscriptions in Medina (an immortal historical legacy)

Inscriptions in Medina (an immortal historical legacy)

"The inscriptions in Medina: An enduring historical legacy The ancient inscriptions in Medina serve as a historical record documenting significant phases in the region's history, encompassing various eras from pre-Islamic times to the early Islamic period. These inscriptions are spread across 238 sites on mountains, rocks, and along the banks of valleys, and are estimated to number in the thousands. What distinguishes these inscriptions is that they are not merely symbols and writings; they are testimonies highlighting the social, religious, and cultural aspects of the inhabitants' lives over the ages. They also reflect the development of Arabic script, which is tied to Medina's role as a prominent religious and scholarly center in Islamic history.

Types of inscriptions found in Medina

1. Thamudic inscriptions:
• It dates back to pre-Islamic times, and is characterized by primitive writings and symbols documenting the social and economic life of ancient peoples.

2. Islamic inscriptions: 
• It extends from the first century to the fourth century AH, and includes Qur’anic verses, prophetic hadiths, and the names of prominent figures that show the spread of writing in the early Islamic era.