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Within the Nome of Horus, just south of Abu (modern Aswan), where the 1st Cataract once broke the steaming Nile waters against the rocks, the Aswan Dam now makes an effective barrage for the way into Nubia. The ancients would probably have had great use for it. On the souhtern side, the shores widens into a great lake, dotted with
several islands and some shoreline settlements.
The islands especially, served religious functions, with temples and other structures being erected during several Dynastic periods. Of these islands, Philae - Iat Rek - the Remote Place, is the most glorious one where the temple of Aset, Great of Heka (Gr: Isis)still stretches its pylon towers towards the sky.
But not only Aset were worshipped here; On Bigeh the legendary tomb of Wesir (Gr: Osiris) was located, and the area was resided over by the Triad of Khnum, Satet and Anuket. In an underground cave, Hapi, the Nile God saw to the continuous flow of the life-giving water, and deities from Nubia like Arensnuphis and Mandulis, had their own chapels on the temple island of Philae.
Just to the west of this island is the larger Island of Bigeh, where once was a Temple of Osiris and where weekly rituals were held. On the pic below you can see the foundations which were used for the relocation of the Temple of Isis, from the original island of Agilkia. They still stand up from the water, just off Bigeh.
Other islands nearby:
The Island of el-Heisa
The Island of el-Heisa is the biggest one of this archipelago, situated just southwest of Bigeh. The priesthood at Philae was buried here in rock-cut tombs which still remains today. Rock inscriptions have also been found here as well as a red granite naos of Ptolemy VII. Modern population here still count themselves as Nubians, not Egyptians.
The Island of Konosso
This island, situated immediately to the west of Agilkia and north of Bigeh, has been used through the ages for carving names of royals and other notables; Mentuhotep I, Djehutymose IV, Amenhotep III and Psammeticus II, offering to various deities, as well as Tety, Overseer of the Wardrobe, Ra, First Messenger, Kheper-re-shu, Father of the God. Apparently it was both usual and important for royalty and notables to make extensive travels to this farthest border of the Two Lands.
El-Shallal
El-Shallal is located northeast of Philae, on the mainland. This is where boats to Philae depart in our time. Here has been found the upper part of a stela to Psammeticus II, which today is kept at Philae. Recently here has also been found remains of unfinished Roman baths as well as an incomplete statue of Ramesses II. Some Roman blocks have been utilized in a church building.
Early morning mist at el Shellal.
Tourists waiting for transfer to Philae
But the most interesting thing about el-Shallal is perhaps the ancient road between Assuan and Philae, which runs all the way from Assuan down to the shore outside of el-Shallal. This stretch of road shows plenty of graffitti from practically all time periods. Both to the left and to the right as well as along the shoreline east of the river there are inscriptions of names of kings, their families and of high dignitaries. Merenre in Dyn 6 is the earliest one, Amenirdis, Divine Adoratrice Dyn 25 is among the later ones, to name a few.
Art by David Roberts & unknown
Backgrounds thanks to Seshat Taharqa
Photos by Mirjam Nebet
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