Abu Sir al-Malaq

REGISTERED: Yes

 

OTHER NAMES: Busiris, Busir Quridis, Pr-Wsjr

    The site is famous for its extensive predynastic cemetery, but funerary remains from several different periods have actually been found here. The site is mentioned in papyri until the sixth century AD.

 

Several hundred predynastic graves have been excavated dating from the Naqada II period onwards. Bodies were generally laid out on their left side in a flexed position in oval or rectangular graves, often reinforced with mudbrick.

 

The remains of a temple of Nectanebo have been found near the modern mosque in Abu Sir al-Malaq and it has been suggested that a large sanctuary for Osiris existed here.

 

Today, remains of older excavations are visible but most of the site consists of barren land and an Islamic cemetery covers part of the southern section of the site. It is surrounded by agriculture and modern villages, and as there are no clear site boundaries, there is a risk that parts of the site will disappear under moderndevelopment.

 

 

     Amlaak Maps

Official maps used by the SCA based on ESA maps, showing the official borders of archaeological sites.

Other Backgrounds

    ESA/AGR 1:2500 Maps  

Ministry of Agriculture (AGR) updated ESA cadastral maps to demonstrate urban expansion until 1985. These maps are commonly used by local land authorities and land use planners..

    ESA 1:2500 Maps  

Cadastral maps produced by ESA showing the location and boundaries of urban built up areas and the land divisions with their names and numbers. Two versions are produced from this series in the early 1900s and 1940s.

    ESA 1:50,000 Topographical Maps 

ESA maps with urban and topographical features, produced in 1993. These maps are useful in showing the relationships between archaeological sites and built-up land.