Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Location
About
Serabit el-Khadim is a significant archaeological site located in the southwest Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, known for its extensive turquoise mining operations conducted by the ancient Egyptians. The site features a prominent Temple of Hathor, established during the Middle Kingdom under Sesostris I, which served as a spiritual center for miners and travelers in the desert. The temple, partly rebuilt during the New Kingdom, highlights the ancient Egyptians' religious practices and their reverence for Hathor as a protective deity. Additionally, the site contains thirty incised graffiti in Proto-Sinaitic script, offering valuable insights into the early development of the alphabet. The presence of these inscriptions suggests that prisoners of war from southwest Asia, likely speaking a Northwest Semitic language, worked in the mines, adding a layer of cultural exchange to the site's historical narrative.
Gallery
Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Serabit el-Khadim
Archaeological Features
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Industrial and Craft Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Historical Timeline
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Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- Egypt
- Source
- Wikipedia
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