PROPOSAL OF QURANIC

ILLUMINANCE MANUSCRIPT
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND DESIGN

BAAD 1101: HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT 3

PREPARED BY: AMIER AFZAN BIN AMZAH (2316009)

SANA’A MANUSCRIPT
❑ The Sana'a Manuscripts were
discovered in 1972 in the Great
Mosque of Sana'a, Yemen. Led by
Qadhi Isma'il al-Akwa, a team found
these ancient Quran fragments in a
storage room above the mosque's
old prayer hall.
❑ Dating these manuscripts is
challenging, but they are believed to
be among the oldest Quran copies,
possibly from the late 6th to early 8th
century during the Rashidun
Caliphate.
❑ These manuscripts contain Quranic
verses with variations from the
standard Uthmanic text, sparking
debates about early Quranic
transmission. They use an early form of
Kufic script, showing linguistic diversity
in early Islamic Quranic texts.
❑ Significantly, the Sana'a Manuscripts
contribute to our understanding of
early Quranic history, revealing
insights into transmission and script
development. Ongoing research
continues to refine our knowledge of
these manuscripts in early Islamic
history.
 TOPKAPI MANUSCRIPT
➢ Origin and Location:
The Topkapi Manuscript is housed in the Topkapi
Palace Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, known for its
Islamic art and historical treasures.
➢ Dating and Script Style:
Considered one of the earliest Quranic copies, dating
to potentially the 7th century during the Rashidun
Caliphate.
Written in the Kufic script, characterized by angular
and bold letterforms, offering insights into early
Islamic calligraphy.
➢ Content and Research:
Contains Quranic verses, providing clues about the
organization of the Quranic text in early Islam.
Subject to scholarly examination, with debates on
provenance, dating, and its significance in
understanding early Quranic history.
➢ Importance and Display:
Holds cultural and historical significance in Islamic art
and heritage.
Displayed in a controlled environment within the
Topkapi Palace Museum, contributing to our
understanding of the early transmission and
preservation of the Quranic text.
MA’IL MANUSCRIPT
❖ Discovery and Location:
Found in Ma'il, Saudi Arabia, the Ma'il
Manuscript is named after its discov ery
location, adding historical context to its
significance in the Arabian Peninsula.

❖ Dating and Script Style:

Dated to the 7th century, it's considered
one of the earliest Quran copies, with a
script reflecting early I slamic calligraphy,
offering insights into Arabic script evolution.

❖ Content and Scholarly Assessment:

Contains Quranic v erses, providing insights
into early Quranic transmission.
Scholars examine its authenticity, script
features, and historical context through
ongoing research and debates.

❖ Cultural and Historical Importance:

Holds cultural and historical importance,
contributing to our understanding of
Quranic dissemination and preservation in
the Arabian Peninsula during the 7th
century. Preserved in a controlled
env ironment, access may be limited to
scholars for careful study.