Archaeologists working near the ancient settlement of Edfu, in southern Egypt, have uncovered a step pyramid that dates back about 4,600 years, predating the Great Pyramid of Giza by at least a few decades. The step pyramid, which once stood as high as 43 feet (13 meters), is one of seven so-called "provincial" pyramids built by either the pharaoh Huni (reign ca. 2635-2610 B.C.) or Snefru (reign ca. 2610-2590 B.C.). Over time, the step pyramid's stone blocks were pillaged, and the monument was exposed to weathering, so today, it's only about 16 feet (5 m) tall.  Scattered throughout central and southern Egypt, the provincial pyramids are located near major settlements, have no internal chambers and were not intended for burial. Six of the seven pyramids have almost identical dimensions, including the newly uncovered one at Edfu, which is about 60 x 61 feet (18.4 x 18.6 m) The purpose of these seven pyramids is a mystery. They may have been used as symb...

Isis Temple (Ptolemaic) – Deir El Shelwit - West Bank An ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to Isis from the Greek-Roman period 1st and 2nd centuries CE. It stands on the West bank of the Nile at Luxor, 1 km from Malqata and about 4 km south of Medinet Habu.    The Isis Temple is now open to the public and tickets are obtainable from the main ticket office at the roundabout at Qurna Mura’i, West bank. The importance of the Isis temple of Deir el-Shelwit is because Graeco-Roman era religious buildings are rare in this area, and this is the only one not associated with the Theban Triad but with Isis.   It is a delightful small temple that in my opinion is very well worth a visit. There are at this site Toilet facilities and Parking. It is an out the way place, so I recommend that you take your own refreshments, as there are none on site. Many emperors made additions to the temple over a 100-year period. Today all that remains of the temple is its small main bui...

Pabasa, who was also called Pabes, has a large tomb at Asasif, just outside the entrance to Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahri. Like Ankh-hor, who held this important title after him, he was the ‘Chief Steward of the God’s Wife Nitocris’ (Neitiqert) during the reign of Saite king Psamtek I.  Pabasa’s tomb still has a large mudbrick superstructure. A steep flight of stairs leads down to the entrance of the subterranean levels and on the lintel above the doorway is a fine relief of a barque, adored by the souls of Pe and Nekhen, by the God’s Wife, Nitocris and by the deceased.  A small vestibule leads to a larger pillared sun court. The vestibule shows scenes of Pabasa’s funeral procession, including mourners and the ‘Abydos Pilgrimage’. There is a long text of Pabasa and depictions of his son, Thahorpakhepesh, who acted as sem-priest at his father’s funeral.  On the inner lintel of the entrance to the court, a relief shows Osiris and Re-Horakhty, in the cent...

The tomb of Shuroy  dates from Ramesside times,  Shuroy, was "brazier carrier of Amon"His wife Our-Neferet was a chantress of Amon. We do not know anything more about them.  The Abbott payrus dates from year sixteen of the reign of Ramesses IX, speaks of the tomb: "The pyramidal tomb of king Nebkheperra, Son of Ra, Antef It was recovered close to being penetrated by the thieves who had dug a tunnel into the tomb of the superintendent of offering of the House of Amen named Yuroy. This is the only damage. It is intact. The thieves were incapable of reaching it." (Yuroy = Shuroy). The tomb of king Antef was finally found in 2001 by the German institute. It is located to the southwest of the one of Shuroy, from which it separated by the chapel of one named Teti  General description  The tomb is of aver...