The Presences of the Invisible: Towards an Archaeology of Al-Ghaib in the West Bank of Luxor, Egypt.

The article focuses on the concept of al-ghaib, the invisible, as a fundamental element of Islamic belief and its practical significance in everyday life, particularly in the West Bank of Luxor, Egypt. It explores how the invisible domain—including God, angels, jinn, spirits, and metaphysical realms like barzakh—interacts with the visible world, shaping local perceptions of sacred sites, healing practices, and spiritual experiences. The Brazilian Archaeological Program in Egypt (BAPE) initiated the Project Presences of the Invisible in 2022 to document how the invisible materializes and influences the landscape and communities of Luxor, while also addressing the invisibilization of local practices by dominant institutions. The study highlights the inseparability and complementarity of visible and invisible realms, emphasizing their role in cultural heritage, religious life, and social dynamics.