Tombstone of a Muslim woman or girl

North Africa, 1000s

EA2006.21

Islamic tombstones are raised from the ground to pay homage to the dead. This tombstone marks the burial of ‘Ghariba’, daughter of Makhluf al-Jala. The inscription tells us that she died on 4 Shawwal of 431AH or 17 June 1040. It also includes Sura 112 of the Qur’an and a prayer for the dead girl’s parents.

Link to Downloadable version of this image.