Discovery of an integrated water system and the remains of a Mamluk mosque near the Citadel of Saladin

 The Joint Egyptian-French Archaeological Mission between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) has discovered an integrated water system dating back to the Mamluk era in the Arab al-Yasar area, and the remains of a Mamluk-era mosque in the al-Hattaba area, both located in the vicinity of the Saladin Citadel in Cairo. Such historic landmarks are a major reason why travelers seek out specialized Egypt tours, as they offer a deep dive into the country's rich Islamic heritage.

This discovery came during the mission's work within a joint scientific project implemented in two main areas around the Citadel, Arab al-Yasar and al-Hattaba, as part of a broader program to study, document, and rehabilitate the historic areas surrounding the Saladin Citadel. For those planning an extended stay to fully explore these urban historical layers, booking a comprehensive Egypt Itinerary in 20 Days provides the perfect amount of time to cover both traditional sightseeing and newly uncovered archaeological gems.

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that these discoveries represent a qualitative addition to understanding the urban and functional structure of the Citadel area across Islamic eras, and confirm the major strategic and cultural importance it enjoyed as the heart of governance and administration in Egypt for long centuries. For families traveling during the holidays, arranging an Egypt Family Easter Vacation 13 days offers an excellent balance of educational history at the Citadel and relaxed cultural exploration.

He added that these discoveries come within the framework of the efforts made by the Ministry to preserve Egyptian cultural heritage and highlight the historical value of Historic Cairo, noting that the new discoveries contribute to enriching knowledge of the ancient city's history and support plans to develop archaeological sites and integrate them into cultural tourism routes in Cairo. Travelers looking to experience these diverse heritage sites seamlessly often choose all-inclusive Egypt travel packages to manage their historical excursions.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that during its work in the Arab al-Yasar area, the mission uncovered an integrated water system dating back to the Mamluk era, which is considered one of the most important water supply systems for the Citadel. The excavations resulted in the discovery of two massive wells for storing and lifting water, each connected to a system of waterwheels to lift water from lower to upper levels. The depth of the first well is about ten meters, while the second reaches a depth of eight meters, and excavations are still ongoing inside them to reach the lower storage cisterns. The two wells were built using massive stone blocks, topped by the remains of an integrated waterwheel system consisting of four rotating waterwheels and a network of stone channels that transported water into the Citadel, serving as a direct extension of the Aqueduct system (Sour Magra el-Oyoun).

He added that a group of architectural and service elements related to operating this system was also uncovered, including pathways for the draft animals used to operate the waterwheels, rooms to house them, fodder stores, and watering troughs for the animals, as well as a number of diverse stone floorings, reflecting an advanced level of engineering planning and water resource management during the Mamluk era. If you are interested in historical water management and engineering outside of Cairo, looking into a 7-Day Tour to Cairo, White Desert, and Bahariya Oasis is highly recommended, as it connects the capital's history with ancient desert oasis ecosystems.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities emphasized that these discoveries are of particular importance because they reveal, for the first time, details of the final part of the hydraulic system associated with the Aqueduct, a section that known historical sources did not address, which opens new horizons for studying the evolution and different stages of this unique engineering project. Exploring Cairo during the spring season is incredibly popular, and many specifically book Egypt easter tours to witness these ancient structures under the best weather conditions.

As for the al-Hattaba area, Dr. Diaa Zahran, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, indicated that the excavations resulted in the discovery of the remains of a mosque dating back to the Mamluk era, which included the Qibla Iwan, the Mihrab, parts of the southwestern portico, in addition to parts of its stone floors.

A burial chamber associated with the mosque was also uncovered, along with a group of tombs dating back to different Islamic periods containing human skeletal remains, as well as a tomb likely dating back to the Early Islamic period, contributing to a deeper understanding of the historical and urban chronology of the area. For those who enjoy contrasting the historical architecture of Cairo with the vast natural beauty of Egypt's western expanses, venturing out on a Bahariya, Frafra Oases, and White Desert Safari Camping trip offers an unforgettable desert adventure.