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Egypt

Bigeh

Nile island with ancient religious significance

Time Periods

Paleolithic

Paleolithic

Mesolithic

Mesolithic

Neolithic

Neolithic

Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Iron Age

Iron Age

Classical Period

Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Period

Industrial Period

Industrial Period

Contemporary Period

Contemporary Period

Location

About

Bigeh Island, located in the Nile River within the Aswan Governorate of southern Egypt, is an important archaeological site with deep historical and religious significance. Historically positioned at the First Cataract, the island played a strategic role in controlling access to Upper Egypt and Nubia. It was sacred to the ancient Egyptians, who believed Osiris was buried there. A temple known as Abaton, where only priests were allowed, was dedicated to Osiris, marking it as a significant religious site. The island's sacred nature is further emphasized by references from Seneca and Lucan, and by the visit of an embassy from the Kingdom of Kush in the 3rd century CE. The site's integration into the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam has preserved its unique archaeological and historical context.

Gallery

Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Bigeh

FileBigaTemplePylonGate.jpg
FileDavid_Roberts_Temple_Island_Philae.jpg

Archaeological Features

Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

Water Management Features

Reservoirs

Religious and Ritual Structures

Temples

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history

Plan Your Visit

Details

Country
Egypt
Source
Wikipedia