Abedjou

This site, probably ancient Egypt´s most sacred one, lies on the west bank of the Nile and was a cult center of extreme long duration, spanning from the Predynastic Period into Christian times, a period of over 4000 years.

There are early traces of burials of Protodynastic and Early dynastic rulers (Aha, Djer, Narmer, Peribsen and many others), and the earliest temple building here was built for the canine deity Khentamentiu, dated to around 3150 BC. There is also a large settlement from the Pharaonic period, necropolii, cenotaphs and so called 'funeral enclosures' from different periods, and even wooden boat graves.

In the 11th dynasty, Wesir (Gr: Osiris) was introduced here as Wesir-Khentamentiy, 'Foremost of the Westerners' and 'Lord of Abedjou', probably for political reasons. This place became the great cult center of Wesir, he was believed to be buried here and his 'tomb' (the 'Osireion')attracted large masses of pilgrims. The other cult center lay in Djedu (Gr: Busiris), but as opposed to Abedjou, nothing remains there of the temple buildings.

In the 12th Dynasty it became the practice for people from other parts of Egypt to be buried at Abedjou. At this time it seems also to have been common to make posthumous 'pilgrimages' there, in order to partake in the Festival of Wesir. Numerous tombs and cenotaphs ('offering chapels') were erected, and though thousands of steale, offering tables and statues were plundered, much was also excavated from these monuments, and have provided good knowledge and insight into the cult of Wesir and the lives of high-ranking individuals in the Middle Kingdom.

Other notorious royal persons which have left their mark here is Ahmose I (1150-1525 BC) with a terraced temple and a pyramid temple and Ahmose Nefertari a cenotaph.