The excavations, interpretation and analysis of the Muslim necropolis at Quseir al-Qadim, Red Sea coast, Egypt

Quseir al-Qadim lies on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, 8 kilometres north of the modern town of Quseir. The Romans, until 2^nd century AD, Muslim Tradesmen some 1000 years later and probably Muslim Hajj pilgrims utilized this once ancient trading port until its demise in the late 15^th-16 century when the Portuguese opened new trading posts via the Cape of Good Hope.

Essential rescue archaeology was necessary at the site of the Muslim necropolis, which lay to the east of the main site and directly adjacent to a public beach area, due to the threat of hotel development nearby. However, the Egyptian Antiquities Authorities did not grant permission for the development and excavations ceased in its third season.

85 skeletons and a number of co-mingled remains were recovered and retained for bioarchaeological investigation prior to their re-interment at a nearby site.

As the necropolis was categorically Muslin in nature, background research essentially encompassed the Islamic Religion, funerary and burial practice and Islamic concepts of both life and death. It is due to this research that assumptions have been made regarding possible causes of death of the 85 individuals.

Through the use of a discriminant analysis procedure it has been possible to speculate as to the geographical affiliation of a number of these individuals. It must be stressed however that no attempt was made to speculate on racial affiliations, simply geographical ones.

This research attempts to fill the gap present in the archaeological record regarding Islamic human remains, Islamic funerary and burial practice and the likely migratory nature of the individuals once frequenting this location.

University of Southampton

Macklin, Pamela Anne

ebd1c6ac-6849-4eb3-b6d4-9139a92de922

2005

Macklin, Pamela Anne

ebd1c6ac-6849-4eb3-b6d4-9139a92de922

Macklin, Pamela Anne (2005) The excavations, interpretation and analysis of the Muslim necropolis at Quseir al-Qadim, Red Sea coast, Egypt. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

85 skeletons and a number of co-mingled remains were recovered and retained for bioarchaeological investigation prior to their re-interment at a nearby site.