Mecca – A young researcher on Meccan history has already gathered over 1,000 documents about the holy city. These are brimming with facts and secrets that would have remained lost forever to those interested in the history of Mecca.

Hussam bin Abdul Aziz Makkawi told the daily Okaz that he started collecting these documents in 1999 while writing a biography of a historical figure from Mecca. Since then the 35-year old man has spent 12 years visiting hundreds of residents and gathering documents that shed light on many well-known families, Siasat-News reported.

These include information on life in the city many centuries ago up to descriptions of house interiors 150 years ago.

Makkawi is keen to preserve the historical documents which are authentic and highly revealing. “Through these documents, we have found out who built some of the most well-known endowed buildings in Mecca. For example, we discovered that the Egyptian Sultan Qayet Bey built the al-Moshanshan Palace 880 years ago. The documents also give accurate information about the dates of death of important figures in the history of the city.”

The discovery prompted Makkawi to write three books on the history of Mecca, which will be published soon.

Makkawi insists that thousands more documents are in the hands of Meccan residents and that he will continue his quest to unearth them.