Silsila (Jebel Silsila)

The ancient Egyptian site of Silsila is about 26 miles south of Edfu and 14 miles north of Kom Ombo and located in an area where the Nile river narrows. It was known in ancient times as Khenu (Place of Rowing) and here, the bedrock changes from limestone to sandstone.

This is the border of the Egyptian region of Nubia, and in ancient times, Egyptians believed that the Nile originated here.

This was a quarry where much material was removed to build Egyptian temples and other monuments. The area is littered with ancient graffiti and stelas. The quarries were worked by thousands during the New Kingdom and Graeco-Roman periods. The stone on the eastern shore provided material for monuments at Dendera, Thebes (including the Ramesseum), Karnak, Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.

There is also an unfinished sandstone sphinx located here, along with a small chapel of Amenhotep III.

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Last Updated: June 13th, 2011