From adnki.com: Medieval Muslim Burial Ground Unearthed
Posted on May 12, 2005 06:25 PM. Filed under: history & archaeology.Skeletons belonging to some 35 corpses have surfaced from a Portuguese excavation site which archaelogists believe could be one of the the largest medieval Muslim burial grounds in Europe. The corpses, found in vaults carved out of the rockface were buried facing due west in the direction of the Muslim holy city, Mecca. The remains were unearthed at the Largo de Candido Dos Reis park, near the northern Portuguese city of Santarem.
Local authorities believe the burial ground, discovered by Portuguese archaeologist, Antonio Matias, could extend over an area of 3,400 square metres and that more graves will be discovered as digging at the site continues. [continue]