Red Hill Attractions

On the west bank of the Nile opposite El-Kab, 0.75/1km southwest of the village of Muissat, is the Kom el-Ahmar ("Red Hill"), with the extensive remains and cemeteries of ancient Nekhen (Greek Hieraconpolis), one of the oldest cities in Egypt. The joint capital of Upper Egypt formed by the closely associated towns of Nekhab and Nekhen (El-Kab and Kom el Ahmar) was the counterpart of the Lower Egyptian capital of Pe and Dep (Tell el-Faraun). The frequently occurring representations of the jackal headed figures known as the "souls of Nekhen" are believed to date back to Pre-Dynastic times.

The town's protective god was a Horus with a high double feather whose sacred animal was the falcon: hence the Greek name of Hieraconpolis. Remains of temples, tombs and dwelling houses extend for some 2mi/3km along the edge of the desert to the south and southwest of Muissat. At the mouth of a wadi is a fortress like structure of unknown function dating from the Early Old Kingdom, with a low outer wall and a higher interior wall built of sun-dried brick; the entrance was on the east side.