Within the quarries of Gebel el-Silsila is a vast amount of unique symbolic representations: stylized iconographic and pseudo-scripted signs and marks that to some extent signify deities and their protection against demons, evil and mishaps. Like written protective formulae, these marks were placed within the quarries to symbolically safekeep the ancient workers and express gratitude…
Quarrying for Augustus: Gebel el-Silsila as a Source for Early Roman Monuments at Dendera
This paper presents a selection of epigraphic documents dispersed over three quarry faces (C11–C13) in the Main Quarry (Q34) at Gebel el-Silsila’s east bank, dating from the reign of the Emperor Augustus. The aim is to describe and decipher the various marks and depictions, and to translate the Demotic and Greek texts, in order to…
Five “New” Deities in the Roman Pantheon at Gebel el-Silsila
The list of Egyptian deities attested in Greek and demotic inscriptions in the sandstone quarries of Gebel el-Silsila comprises Amun, Horus, Hathor, Isis, Khnum, Montu, Pachimesen, and Shaï. Several new inscriptions and divine names are here added to previous records: the Egyptian gods Min, Bes, Tutu, and the Greek goddesses Athena and Tyche.