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The name means "corner of the dead" in Arabic. It
acquired this name not for the ancient Pharaonic tombs, but
for being adjacent to the modern cemeteries of Minya that
belong to the Moslems and Christians. These cemeteries are
said to be the largest cemeteries in the world.
The site has relatively interesting ruins of the ancient
city of Hebenw, temples and tombs.
The city is vast and was surrounded by a massive mud-brick
enclosure wall that can still be seen. It was 6.75 meters
(22 ft) in thickness (See Image 1).
Remains of a step pyramid face you as you enter the site.
The real function of that pyramid is still unknown and it
is probable that it was never used for burial, yet for a mere
symbolic value. The pyramid is 22.4 (73.5 ft) meters in length.
There are also ruins of a temple built by Amenhotep
III of the 18th
dynasty. It is accessible through stone steps built in
the Roman era.
An altar lies on the ground in the temple (See Image 2).
There are also several tombs on the hillside. Only currently
open is the tomb of Nefersekheru (See Image 3), an 18th
and 19th
Dynasty royal scribe.
The tomb is not in a good state of preservation but still
has reliefs showing the deceased standing before Horus
and Osiris.
The tomb originally consisted of two courts, of which only
the second survived. The latter has a burial shaft of 5.25
meters (17 ft) depth. At the back wall stand remains of 3
statues in niches
(See Image 4).
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