Portugal: Medieval Muslim Burial Ground Unearthed

Adnkoronos International ^ | 5-12-2005

[blam]

PORTUGAL: MEDIEVAL MUSLIM BURIAL GROUND UNEARTHED

Lisbon, 12 May (AKI) - Skeletons belonging to some 35 corpses have surfaced from a Portuguese excavation site which archaelogists believe could be one of the the largest medieval Muslim burial grounds in Europe. The corpses, found in vaults carved out of the rockface were buried facing due west in the direction of the Muslim holy city, Mecca. The remains were unearthed at the Largo de Candido Dos Reis park, near the northern Portuguese city of Santarem.

Local authorities believe the burial ground, discovered by Portuguese archaeologist, Antonio Matias, could extend over an area of 3,400 square metres and that more graves will be discovered as digging at the site continues.

During almost 800 years of Islamic occupation in the Iberian peninsula - which contains Spain and Portugal - Santarem was the capital of an independent Muslim kingdom. While numerous archaeological traces dating from the Islamic period have been found in Spain, where the style of many historical buildings display a Muslim influence, no such finds had been unearthed in Portugal.

From 714 AD Santarém served as an important centre of learning for Islamic culture until the city was occupied by a group of Christian Templar Knights, in 1147 AD.

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[bmwcyle]

Get some pork chops in there.

[TADSLOS]

I wonder if any of them had panties over their skulls?

[Alouette]

The corpses, found in vaults carved out of the rockface were buried facing due west in the direction of the Muslim holy city, Mecca.

Is Mecca located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?

[thoughtomator]

No but it should be.

[Dallas59]

Well, well, well.....Spains AQ buddies will get a thrill out of it. Can't wait for some primitive Islamic country to start rioting because infidels disturbed Muslim graves.

[2banana]

The corpses, found in vaults carved out of the rockface were buried facing due west in the direction of the Muslim holy city, Mecca.

Maybe not muslims as Mecca is east of Portugal...

[VeniVidiVici]

Is Mecca located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?

Good catch.

Maybe they meant Mecca, Michigan.

[William Terrell]

"We're not so sure you could call it a traditional Muslim burial ground." Said Matias, as assistants struggled to pry the skeletons from their centuries old pigskin casings.

[cardinal4]

Is Mecca located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?

Give us time..

[Iscool]

Is Mecca located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?

The new one is in Detroit, Michgan...

I suppose if you look west far enough, you could see the old Mecca behind you...

[Ciexyz]

Santarem, is that the ancestral home of Senator Rick Santorum's ancestors?

[SunkenCiv]

Well said. Sounds like A) the story was written by someone who is just stupid enough 1) to not know which direction is which or 2) to think that no one reading it will know the difference.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam. A "Sounds Like A Great Place for a McDonalds" ping.

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[SunkenCiv]

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