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About 40 kilometers east of Abu Zenima is one of Sinai's most important archaeological sites: Serabit el Khadim. | Pharaohs of the 3rd Dynasty (2670-2570 BC) began the long tradition of dispatching mining expeditions to this remote and desolate area to extract turquoise. Ancient Egyptians were not only fond of carving scarabs out of this opaque sky-blue gemstone, but they also used pulverized turquoise as pigment to color statues and other objects. | Methodical mining for this attractive stone continued well after the 12th Dynasty (1955-1750 BC) when a temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor - the Mistress of Turquoise - was built. At the walled temple, which stands on a plateau 850 meters above sea level, you can see the ruins of Hathor's rock-cut chapel and a large number of carved stone slabs with inscriptions. Close to the temple complex at the abandoned mining shafts you can also examine well preserved ancient inscriptions. | | Find related books here! |
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