Buhen

Buhen was a significant ancient Egyptian settlement and fortress located on the western bank of the Nile in present-day Sudan. Originating during the Old Kingdom, it was initially an Egyptian colonial town known for its copper smelting activities. The site evolved into a formidable fortress during the Middle Kingdom, likely under the rule of Senusret III, who established it as part of a series of fortifications to secure Egypt's southern border. The fortress featured extensive defensive structures, including thick stone walls, moats, and bastions. Throughout its history, Buhen was a strategic location for military and administrative purposes, witnessing various occupations, including a period of Kushite control before being recaptured by Ahmose I. Today, Buhen's archaeological legacy is submerged under Lake Nasser due to the construction of the Aswan Dam.