Islamic inscription

This inscription, of which two fragments are preserved, was located in the Islamic necropolis of Tossal de l'Almisserà.

After the Islamic invasion in 711, the population retired to the interior of Vilajoiosa, fleeing the dangers of the coast. Over time, some villas will give rise to Islamic villages, such as Torres (l’Almisserà), which maintains its Latin name. Three Islamic farmhouses are preserved from this Islamic settlement, Tossal de l'Almisserà, Foietes d'Alt, and l'Alfarella, in addition to a marabout or rural mosque, which is associated with an burial necropolis consisting of 79 tombs, from which it comes this tombstone.

The calligraphy of the inscription is Kufic Arabic, the oldest style of Arabic writing and the most extended for religious texts until the 12th century. In fact, it was the one used to write the first copies of the Koran. It is characterized by straight lines and very sharp angles, the strokes lengthen horizontally and vertically, and is suitable for all types of supports.

Despite retaining only two fragments of the tombstone, it was possible to know the text in its entirety, since they used closed structures to bid farewell to their loved ones.

The translation is as follows *:
“[In the name of God, the Cle]ment, the merciful. There [there is no more divinity than God Maho]ma is the one sent by God. [This is the tomb of Ahma]d, son of Muhammad ibn Allah Di[ed - take pity on him] 30th October, 1029) ”.
* Translation according to Carmen Barceló

Necropolis of the Tossal de l'Almiserá
Chronology: 1050 -1080
Height: 210 mm; length: 240 mm; width: 70mm
Nº inv. Vilamuseu 003687 and 014574