GEBEL EL-SILSILA THROUGHOUT THE AGES:PART 7 – LATE PERIOD TO GRAECO-ROMAN ERA

Continuing their chronological survey, Maria Nilsson and John Ward now focus on Gebel el-Silsila in the post-Ramesside era.

- Maria Nilsson and John Ward

While the various rock-cut monuments along the Nile majestically testify to Gebel el-Silsila’s dynastic splendour, the site’s more recent ancient past is primarily represented through archaeology that is directly associated with the quarrying industry. The monumental quarries of the early Roman Period, seen on both East and West Banks, are of comparable visual magnificence to the Nile stelae (AE121) and the Speos of Hatshepsut (AE115). And of equal importance to our understanding of Gebel el-Silsila are the several villages and lookout-stations, with associated infrastructure, burials, and epigraphy.

The Late Period

After the demise of the New Kingdom, Kheny (the ancient name for Gebel el-Silsila) fell into almost complete oblivion; these dark ages would last until the end of the Ptolemaic Period, or perhaps as late as the early Roman Period, around the reign of the Emperor Augustus (c. 30 BC - AD14). Marking this transition was the destruction of the Temple of Sobek along with the eradication of all crocodile images, and also the demise of the town, the closure of its cemeteries and the discontinuation of both primary (official) and secondary (private) epigraphy.