<P> The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus is believed to have mentioned the Kaabah in 60--30 BC while describing the coast of Jeddah and its surrounding areas mentioned: </P> <P> The inhabitants of the land about the gulf, who are known as Banizomenes, find their food by hunting the land animals and eating their meat . And a temple has been set up there, which is very holy and exceedingly revered by all Arabians . </P> <P> Edward Gibbon suggested that the Kaaba was mentioned by ancient Greek writer, Diodorus Siculus, before the Christian era: </P> <P> The genuine antiquity of Caaba ascends beyond the Christian era: in describing the coast of the Red sea the Greek historian Diodorus has remarked, between the Thamudites and the Sabeans, a famous temple, whose superior sanctity was revered by all the Arabians; the linen or silken veil, which is annually renewed by the Turkish emperor, was first offered by the Homerites, who reigned seven hundred years before the time of Mohammad . </P>

What is the box in the center of mecca