IFAO

Ritual inscriptions on monuments found on the route of pilgrims through Egypt and the remains of ‘Araqîb al-Baghl in Sinai are significant and rare in type and nature. The evidence presented in this article dates the second comprehensive architectural project on the route constructed during the time of Sultân Qânṣûh Al-Ghûrî and carried out by Prince Khayr Bik Al- Mi‘mâr. The work began at ‘Ajrûd to the north-west of Suez, passed several springs and fountains along the route before finally reaching its destination at Mecca and Al-Medina. The dating of the inscriptions have been subjected to damage both in antiquity and in more recent times.

Therefore, they are of uncertain date. Those who have conducted studies on this topic have attempted to establish chronologies for the dating of these inscriptions include Shmuel Tamari who concluded that the architecture was constructed some time between 914 and 915 H /1508-1509 AD.

A. H. Ghabban later set its chronology to the year 915 H /1509 AD. Contemporary research and investigation of historical sources, however, has uncovered an all important text indicating a different base for interpretation that may give some insight into the dating of such inscriptions. The consequences of historical events and the details of the architectural design of the Al-Ghûrî monuments along the route and in Mecca make it necessary to investigate for the first time the remains in the field together with ancient guard posts and other prominent monuments and sights.