Mamlūk Epitaphs from Māmillā Cemetery

Abstract

Māmillā cemetery was the largest Islamic cemetery in Jerusalem. During the Mamlūk period it was the burial ground for most of the important citizens. This article contains newly discovered Mamlūk epitaphs from the cemetery offered in an effort to trace the original locations, and to examine the relocations. Photos and plans prepared mainly during the British Mandate have been used to track the original locations. The historico-topographical presentation by Mujı¯r al-Dı¯n al-'Ulaymı¯ is the main historical source used to illustrated these inscriptions. Finally, the evidence of the relocation leads to the conclusion that a sacred axis existed at the eastern end of the cemetery, along which the existence of two mausolea and several graves have been discovered.