In 2015, experts from the University of Birmingham discovered the Birmingham Quran manuscript, which is possibly the oldest manuscript of the Quran in the world. The Birmingham Quran manuscript is a parchment manuscript that was radio-carbon dated to 645 AD. It is believed to be an early descendant of the Uthmanic codex.

Details

• The manuscript is made of two parchment leaves.
• It is written in Arabic Hejazi script using ink on parchment.
• The leaves contain parts of Surahs 19 (Maryam) to 20 (Taha).
• The manuscript is part of the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts at the University of Birmingham’s Cadbury Research Library.

History

• The manuscript was on display at the University of Birmingham in 2015.
• It was also on display at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery until August 5, 2016.
• The Cadbury Research Library has analyzed the manuscript using multispectral analysis and XRF analysis of the inks.

Other Oldest Quranic Manuscripts in the World:

• Codex Parisino-Petropolitanus: Written in the late 7th century. In the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris.
• Tübingen Fragment: Written around 650 AD. In University of Tübingen in Germany.
• Sana’a Manuscript: Written in 671 AD. In the great Mosque of Sana’a in Yemen.
• Codex Mashhad: Written in the early 8th century. In Al al-Bayt Islamic Heritage Institute in the city of Qom, Iran.
• The Blue Quran: Written in the late 9th century. In the national museum of Tunis.
• Topkapi Manuscript: Written in the early 8th century. In the Topkapi Palace in Turkey.
• Samarkand Kufic Quran: Written in 855 AD. In the Religious Administration of Muslims in Tashkent.
• Birmingham Quran: Manuscript written around 645 AD. In University of Birmingham in England.