The Muslim West / Funerary Steles: Memorials in Stone

Tombstones, geographical and social differences.

A wide variety of tombstones appeared at different times and in different places reflecting regional differences: the cipo appeared in Ifriqiya (Tunisia) in the 3rd / 9th century, although they have also been found in Andalusia around Toledo; the maqabriyya was used in Andalusian and Maghrebi cemeteries from the time of the Almoravids; and circular steles were common from the 8th / 14th century in towns with large ceramic industries, such as Malaga, Granada and Murcia.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Memorial stoneHegira 447 / AD 1055Taifa kingdom of Toledo, dynasty of Banu Dhi'l-Nun (Dhu'l-Nunids)National Archaeological Museum
Madrid, Spain
The cipo, a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical stele, would have been placed at the head of the grave of an important person. It was the most monumental stele used in the Muslim West.
Funerary stele (gravestone)Hegira Dhu'l-Hijja 423 / AD November 1032ZiridMuseum of Islamic Art
Raqqada, Kairouan, Tunisia
The maqabriyya is sculpted in marble or stone and has a characteristic long, pyramidal shape. Maqabriyya would have been placed horizontally over the tombs of important families.
Funerary stele of Abu 'Abdallah ibn KhalifaHegira 488 / AD 1095HammadidNational Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Algiers, Algeria
The maqabriyya is sculpted in marble or stone and has a characteristic long, pyramidal shape. Maqabriyya would have been placed horizontally over the tombs of important families.
Funerary stele of Mukhlef ibn 'UthmanHegira 406–547 / AD 1015–1152HammadidNational Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Algiers, Algeria
The maqabriyya is sculpted in marble or stone and has a characteristic long, pyramidal shape. Maqabriyya would have been placed horizontally over the tombs of important families.
Prismatic stele of IbrahimHegira 490-541 / AD 1097-1147AlmoravidMuseum of the Udayas
Rabat, Morocco
The maqabriyya is sculpted in marble or stone and has a characteristic long, pyramidal shape. Maqabriyya would have been placed horizontally over the tombs of important families.
Funerary stele 'with ears'Hegira 9th century / AD 15th centuryNasridNational Archaeological Museum
Madrid, Spain
Circular, ceramic steles tended to be small with gold, reflective decoration. They would have been placed at the head and foot of graves.