(CE:2130a)
SHAYKH SA‘ID, AL-. Less than 2 miles (about 3 km) south of the village of al-Barsha, on the right bank of the Nile, are some tombs from ancient Egypt, known as the tombs of al-Shaykh Sa‘id. They were later fitted up as dwellings, like those of Bani Hasan, and one of them served as a chapel. Others were transformed into cells, and sometimes a door was cut to connect two tombs.
The complex is described by Davies (1901, esp. pls. VII, 7, 11, 13, 14, 33), by Badawy (1953), and by Meinardus (1965, 1977).
The tombs are called Dayr Abu Fam by the inhabitants of the region, and are described by that name by Nestor L'Hôte, Davies, and Meinardus. This perhaps indicates that the painting in the chapel, said to be of Saint George, is in reality that of PHOIBAMMON. Four graffiti are reproduced by Sayce (1885- 1886, p. 186, 1886-1887, p. 192).
RENÉ-GEORGES COQUIN
MAURICE MARTIN, S.J.
