DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Witkowski, Maciej G.: Funerary complex of Amir Kebir Qurqumas: from May 31 to December 31, 1995
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26390#0036
what can be recognized today as "typical desordonated Mamluk
woof. The mortar used to bond the wait was of good quaiity and
aimost certainiy waterproof; it aiso covered the uppermost course
of bricks. The piatform had deep foundations (1.8 m) made of
roughly laid irregular limestone pieces m a strong mud-lime
mortar. The evidence would suggest that the platform was actually
the bottom of a large water basin or tank.
It is tempting to identify these architectural remains with the
"ablution area with 10 toilets and a bath" described in the
foundation deed of the Amir Kebir Qurqumas^ as part of the
household back-up facilities of the main Funerary Complex. A
small rectangular (0.5 x 0.6 m.) basin-like structure made of
limestone slabs, adjoining the latrine area on the north, could be
identified tentatively with a kind of watering place for animals
which was situated "just outside the ablution area" to believe the
In the light of these findings and possible identifications, it is
necessary to recall the water-wheel installations situated next to the
Amir Kebir Qurqumas, just across the modern street (now
destroyed but still remembered by the oldest local cemetery guards
from the early 20**' century) and to reconsider their attribution to
the back-up water facilities of the Amir's funerary complex, since
such a is described in the foundation deed/" If confirmed
by future excavations, this would not only confirm the frequently
contested exactness of F/oggr? descriptions, but would also provide
important information for the reconstruction of the historical
topography of the area. Curiously enough, the only small find from
these excavations consisted of an almost complete coarse-ware
bowl of a typical conical shape, modelled on a slow-turning wheel
and deformed during firing.
2. Work on reinforcing the pillar foundations of the Oaw arcades
34
^ Cf. p. 53, 13-14.
^ Ibidem, p. 55, 6-7.
^ Ibidem, p. 55.
woof. The mortar used to bond the wait was of good quaiity and
aimost certainiy waterproof; it aiso covered the uppermost course
of bricks. The piatform had deep foundations (1.8 m) made of
roughly laid irregular limestone pieces m a strong mud-lime
mortar. The evidence would suggest that the platform was actually
the bottom of a large water basin or tank.
It is tempting to identify these architectural remains with the
"ablution area with 10 toilets and a bath" described in the
foundation deed of the Amir Kebir Qurqumas^ as part of the
household back-up facilities of the main Funerary Complex. A
small rectangular (0.5 x 0.6 m.) basin-like structure made of
limestone slabs, adjoining the latrine area on the north, could be
identified tentatively with a kind of watering place for animals
which was situated "just outside the ablution area" to believe the
In the light of these findings and possible identifications, it is
necessary to recall the water-wheel installations situated next to the
Amir Kebir Qurqumas, just across the modern street (now
destroyed but still remembered by the oldest local cemetery guards
from the early 20**' century) and to reconsider their attribution to
the back-up water facilities of the Amir's funerary complex, since
such a is described in the foundation deed/" If confirmed
by future excavations, this would not only confirm the frequently
contested exactness of F/oggr? descriptions, but would also provide
important information for the reconstruction of the historical
topography of the area. Curiously enough, the only small find from
these excavations consisted of an almost complete coarse-ware
bowl of a typical conical shape, modelled on a slow-turning wheel
and deformed during firing.
2. Work on reinforcing the pillar foundations of the Oaw arcades
34
^ Cf. p. 53, 13-14.
^ Ibidem, p. 55, 6-7.
^ Ibidem, p. 55.