Before the era of Uthman ibn Affan, were there multiple ways of reciting the Holy Qur’an?

The Quran was recited with the mutawatir (concurrently transmitted) readings before the era of Uthman, and these were taken from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Evidence for the validity of reciting with these readings during his lifetime is the story of Umar’s disapproval of Hisham ibn Hakim ibn Hizam’s recitation of Surat Al-Baqarah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, affirmed both of them, saying about each of the two readings: "Thus it was revealed."