The Mountain of the Dead | Gabal El Mawta in Siwa
The mountain has been discovered by chance by the people of Siwa Oasis during the Second World War. Siwa is an Egyptian Oasis located in the western desert, It is known for its nature and beauty, and it is one of the most visited sites for medical tourism due to its natural warm springs and the salted lakes that heal a lot of health problems. The war between Italian, British, and German armies made the inhabitants run to the desert searching for safe shelter away from the fire and danger. As they reached the mountain, they discovered the secret of the mountain.
The secret of the mountain is that it includes gorgeous mummies and tombs in catacombs carved inside the mountain like a Beehive. After the end of the War, the people of Siwa decided to build houses and live near the mountain. It is believed that the number of people or citizens that live near the mountain has not increased or decreased through years; They are saying that when they have a newborn, one of the old people will be dead. The tombs inside the mountain back to nobels from the Pharaonic age, Ptolemaic, and Roman ages, and this was the last age to be buried inside the caves of the mountain.
The ancient Egyptians believed in the idea of resurrection after death, and that death will not be the end. Therefore, during the discovery of the tombs, the archeologists found the possessions of the buried Drink, water, perfumes, clothes, papyrus, gold, pottery, and other artifacts that will help the dead in their new life after death. When you choose to mountain through one of Egypt Easter Tours, you will see inscriptions and writings narrating different stories for its dead. Some archeologists suppose that the Great Alexander is buried in this mountain. The Mountain embraces famous tombs like The Tomb of Si Amon, Crocodile Tomb, and Ba Tahut Cemetery. Contact us now and choose to have one of our trips in Egypt Classic Tours that will let you discover Egyptian secrets.
General info about 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 and the Mountain of the Dead
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.
The Ancient Tombs of 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 Discovery and Legends of the Mountain of the Dead
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.
Exploring the Ancient Cemetery of the Mountain of the Dead
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.
