Ministry Begins Study of Historic Site at Kaashidhoo Old Friday Mosque

The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has launched an excavation and research project at the Old Friday Mosque in Kaafu Kaashidhoo, focusing on a historical site unearthed nearby in 2020 revealing remnants of a significant pre-Islamic settlement beneath the area.

The Ministry announced that the first phase of the study began on 12 January and is scheduled to continue until 24 January. This effort is a collaborative initiative involving the National Centre for Cultural Heritage, the University of East Anglia, the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy, and the Maritime Asia Heritage Survey.

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ކާށިދޫން ފެނުނު އެވޭލާ މިސްކިތާ ބެހޭ ދިރާސާތައް ފަށައިފި.https://t.co/slx3qXrOon#ދައުލަތުގެޓީމު pic.twitter.com/NjJq5aW054— Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage (@MoDLCH) January 20, 2025

As part of the two-week project, participants will be trained in the foundational practices of technical underground archaeology, marking an important step towards preserving and understanding the Maldives’ cultural heritage.

The findings from the research are expected to shed light on the historical and cultural significance of the settlement.