Gebel El-Silsila

This site between Edfu and Kom Ombo sits where the river bed is narrow and is overlooked by sandstone hills.

From the dahabiya, we walk to the shrines and quarry. There are quarries on both sides of the Nile here. We will explore the West side. This is one of the places where views of the Nile are most picturesque.

Large amounts of sandstone were quarried here for temple building in Thebes (Luxor) from the Middle Kingdom on, and extensively from the New Kingdom to the Roman period. During the New Kingdom, it was the most extensive quarry in Egypt and gained religious significance as a place where the inundation of the Nile was worshiped.

Cut into the rock are the speos (chapel) of Horemheb, with its sanctuary containing seven statues, including Amun and Horemheb; 32 rock shrines, which were owned by private individuals of the 18th Dynasty, and various stelae and inscriptions dating to the New Kingdom. You will be able to see several of the shrines during our walk; some have artwork still clearly visible.

You will also visit the huge quarry, which gives some context to how much building material was sourced from this area. There are mason’s marks and graffiti which give a more personal touch to the size of this site. 
There is also an area of sand where children (and children at heart) can slide and play. 

Departing on the dahabiya, you get another perspective of the site from the river.

Discoveries continue with ongoing excavations in the area. For reading before your tour, you may enjoy the blog of the Gebel el-Silsila Project at http://gebelelsilsilaepigraphicsurveyproject.blogspot.com