Mamluk-Era Mosque & Artefacts Discovered Near Cairo Citadel

An Egyptian-French archaeological mission has uncovered a Mamluk-era water supply system near the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo, offering rare insight into the infrastructure that once sustained one of Egypt's most important seats of power.

The discovery was made through a joint mission between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) in the Arab al-Yasar area, where excavations revealed two large wells, waterwheels and a network of stone channels believed to have formed part of the final stage of Cairo's historic aqueduct system, Sour Magra El-Oyoun. Researchers say the find is particularly significant because this section of the network was never documented in historical sources.

The excavation also uncovered traces of the system's day-to-day operation, including animal pathways, water basins and service structures linked to powering and maintaining the waterworks.

In nearby al-Hattaba, the mission discovered the remains of a Mamluk-era mosque, alongside a burial chamber and tombs dating to different Islamic periods. Coins, ceramic water-lifting vessels, jewellery, metal seals and other artefacts were also found across the site.

Together, the discoveries offer a richer picture of life around the Citadel, highlighting not only the area's religious and funerary activity, but also the complex infrastructure that helped keep medieval Cairo running.