EGYPT LANDMARKS: Aswan

Aswan

10:04 PM | Posted by Massra

Aswan This was the most southern city of ancient Egypt, lie at the first cataract of the Nile. Called “the Southern Gate,” or swenet, which is translated as “conducting business,” Aswan became Syrene in the Greek ages,The city also served as a provincial headquarters for
the territories below the cataract, as viceroys of NUBIA (modern Sudan) used the ELEPHANTINE Island at Aswan as a residence in some reigns. The area is famous for red
granite, called syrenite. Settlements at Aswan date to predynastic times,
before the unification c. 3000 B.C.E. The tombs at Aswan include Sixth Dynasty (2323–2150 B.C.E.) sites. Of particular note are the tombs of Mekhu and SABNI. Mekhu died
south of Aswan, and his son, Sabni, recovered the body and brought it to Egypt for burial. PEPI II (r. 2246–2152 B.C.E.) gave mortuary gifts for the tomb, which contains rock pillared chambers and frescoes. HARKHUF, the faithful servant of Pepi II, is also buried there. The Middle Kingdom (2040–1640 B.C.E.) tombs of local nomarchs are also in the Aswan necropolis, most designated with long passages and ornamented with frescoes and reliefs.
The temple of KHNUM at Aswan and SATET’s temple demonstrate the ongoing concern of Egypt’s rulers for the city. The goddess Satet’s temple was erected by HATSHEPSUT
(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.), who had reliefs and a granite niche installed. The temple of Khnum has additions made by RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) and NECTANEBO
II (r. 360–343 B.C.E.). PHILAE’s temple, which was moved to the island of Agilkia to save it from the inundation caused by the High Aswan Dam, was supervised
from the city. In cultic terms, Aswan was the abode of the deities Khnum, Satet, and ANUKIS. The Nile god, HAPI (1), resided in a cave in the region, and one site was reserved,.as the grave of osiris.
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