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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The circulation tracks of al-Fustat: one aspect of the physiognomy of a mediaeval Arab city
Author:Kubiak, Wladyslaw B.
Year:1979
Periodical:Africana Bulletin
Issue:28
Pages:7-28
Language:English
Geographic term:Egypt
Subjects:archaeology
road networks
urban areas
Abstract:All research based on the examination of existing and living urban organisms can be used as evidence for the study of mediaeval Islamic towns only with important reservations. The city of al-Fustat, whose main area today occupies the south-western part of Cairo, is the only town where not less than 7.000 metres of authentic mediaeval circulation tracks (local afreets, thoroughfares backalleys, impasses and squares) have so far been unearthed in the course of archaeological excavations. This length, although not sufficient for valid conclusions concerning the topography of the whole metropolis, does provide enough material for the study of streets as such. And it is only the excavations of al-Fustat which provide authentic mediaeval material for comparative study to validate evidence collected in relatively modern environments in other oriental towns. Fig notes.
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