Fatimid Cemetery in Aswan, Ancient Islamic cemetery in Aswan, Egypt
The Fatimid Cemetery in Aswan is a large burial ground containing approximately 30 preserved mud-brick tombs distinguished by projecting corners and domed roofs. These structures spread across extensive grounds and showcase characteristic southern Egyptian building techniques with thick walls and large interior chambers.
The site was established following the Arab conquest of Egypt in the 7th century and initially served as a burial ground for soldiers. Over time it evolved into an important cemetery where religious scholars and local saints were also interred.
The cemetery remains a sacred space where Aswan residents come to pray and seek blessings from the saints buried there. The decorated mud-brick tombs reveal how local spiritual practices and building traditions are deeply connected to daily life.
The cemetery is located about a 10-minute walk from the riverside and accessible through a main gate on its southern side. Sturdy shoes are recommended as the ground is uneven and the sun can be intense.
The earliest known tomb belongs to Abd al-Rahman al-Hijazi and dates to the 1st century of Islamic history, making this site among the oldest evidence of Islamic funerary architecture. This early monument demonstrates that building techniques were already sophisticated during that period.
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