Egyptians have long had a fascination with burying their dead. In Pharonic times even animals were given sacred tombs. ABC Australia visits the modern-day Cairo suburb of Imam ash-Shafii which has been a cemetery for centuries. Ahmed Atiyah's great-great-great-grandfather's tomb is right in the middle of his front room. "It's better than living with people who talk a lot", insists his wife. Ahmed is the self-appointed guardian of the forgotten tombs of Egypt's 19th century Royal Family. They belong to a period of Islamic history the present government of Egypt seems, perhaps not surprisingly, happy to forget.

Produced by ABC Australia