The Contribution of Archives to Understanding and Reconstructing the City of Constantine During the Ottoman Period

This study explores the Ottoman archives to uncover the urban history and the architectural layout of Constantine, Algeria, focusing on the 'Daftar rusūmʾamlāk balad Qaṣanṭīna', a registry of property deeds from the 15th to the early 19th century. It provides detailed insights into property locations, functions, and ownership transactions, alongside the architectural and social roles of mosques (ǧāmaʿ), chapels (zāwiya), and educational institutions (madrasas). The research also examines the urban landscape through street and neighborhood toponymy, and delves into economic frameworks by analyzing market (sūq) and inn (funduq) networks, their placements, and specializations. Additionally, it includes an evaluation of public squares (raḥba and baṭḥa), offering a fragmented yet detailed mosaic of data that assists in reconstructing the urban quarters of Constantine during the specified period.