Silwa Attractions

Silwa (east bank). On the west bank is the village of El-Hosh, near which, on Gebel Abu Shega, are ancient quarries, with Greek inscriptions dated to the 11th year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (A.D. 149) recording that stone was hewn here for a Temple of Horus (Apollo), probably in Edfu. A short distance upstream is the Valley of Khor Tangura. Some 2mi/3km up the valley, on a rock face on the right hand side, are fine prehistoric engravings (elephants, antelopes, giraffes, a boat, etc.). There are similar engravings on a rock on the edge of the Nile, south of the valley. Farther south, below Silsila, on the left hand side of a rock face a few yards from the river bank, is a curious relief known as the Shatt el-Rigal. This depicts a petty King called Entef doing homage to King Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II (11th Dynasty) and the Queen Mother Yoh, with an official named Kheti standing behind Entef. On the same rock face, higher up, are other inscriptions and reliefs of the Middle Kingdom and Early New Kingdom.