Mountain of the Dead in Siwa Oasis | Gebel Al Mawta
Mountain of the Dead in Siwa Oasis
Egypt is a country with a rich history and it is possible to see archaeological monuments in all regions of the country. The Mountain of the Dead in Siwa is yet another of these archaeological landmarks and among things recommended when you take Trips from Cairo to Siwa Oasis
Siwa Oasis is located about 560 kilometers from Cairo, and here is one of the most important burial sites of the 26th dynasty, the Mountain of the Dead.
Mountain of the Dead, in Arabic (Gabal Al-Mawta), located in Siwa Oasis is a Mountain where several tombs were carved on its base, terraces, and at the top. Most of them are tombs for Romans and they differ in terms of shape and size, some of them are just small pits on the ground while other tombs are symmetrically carved with recesses and rooms inside.
The mountain is one of the main attractions of Siwa Oasis. The discovery of the Mountain of the Dead took place in 1944, during World War II.
History tells that the people of Siwa went to the mountain to hide when German, British and Italian troops were fighting in this part of the desert. Along the way, they discovered the existence of the pharaonic tombs.Local legend says Alexander the Great may also be buried there. However, his grave was never found yet.
When you go to the Siwa Oasis from Cairo, you will visit the Mountain of the Dead which holds thousands of graves cut into its rocky bed, where inscriptions helped date the oldest graves for researchers and scholars. Burials continued in this cemetery until the end of the Roman era.
- The place is famous for containing four important cemeteries: Si Amun, Mesu Isis, Niperbathot, and the Crocodile tomb.
- Inside the Siamun cemetery and on the walls of the tomb we can see a clear fusion of Egyptian and Greek artistic styles.
- Mesu Isis is another tomb whose walls are covered with blue and red snake paintings.
- Niperbathot is the third tomb and has walls with red paintings and it is the most well-preserved of them all.
- The last tomb is called the Crocodile and its construction was inspired by the association of the god Sobek with one of Egypt's most significant native animals, the crocodile, that the ancient Egyptians use to symbolize the evil souls as crocodile figures and other mythological creatures.
- Also, there is a famous mountain called the Roman Mountain where you will find recesses of tombs for those who like climbing mountains and Egypt Desert Safari Adventure. All this and many more are waiting for you when you book the Cairo to Siwa Oasis trip.
