www.HiddenEgypt.com » Blog Archive » Amazing Abydos

www.HiddenEgypt.com » Blog Archive » Amazing Abydos

At last for everyone who wants to spend more time in Abydos there is somewhere to stay and what a fantastic atmospheric write up Iris gives the place.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Abducted Western tourists freed

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Abducted Western tourists freed

El Mamela Tombs at Esna - Ank Tify

Back in July I published the new ticket prices and on the list were the El Mamela Tombs. I was asked what I knew about them and had to admit total ignorance. A subsequent question on EEF didin't reveal any more information. But I have just found out something about this. I am still trying to visit the tomb but you need special permissions. Anyway what I have found out is that it is the tomb of Ank Tify from 10th dynasty under Neferkare. It is 15 km south of Esna I saw it from the road yesterday but was not allowed to stop. After Ramadan I will try and get there.


Now can anyone out there give me more information or a link to more information.

Hostages taken at Gilf al-Kebir

The first reports of this situation said it happened at Aswan but actually it is nowhere near any tourist destination. It appears a group travelling off road in a remote part of the desert near the Sudan/Libya border has been kidnapped. There was another incident in February where the group where left alone but their vehicles were taken. Thankfully nothing like that happens along the Nile Valley where security is high and tourists well protected. So not Luxor news at all

Everything you always wanted know about railways in Egypt but were afraid to ask

I just spotted this via Goggle Alerts Egyptian Railway History I once had a guest who was a railway buff and he went to the museum in Cairo. We took him on a railway journey especially and he was almost orgasmic about the signals. Sorry but it was so funny, his wife and I were taking the micky something rotten. But if that is your particular thing you will find this article totally fascinating.

Thutmose III Funerary temple

According to this excavation is going to start. http://allaboutegypt.org/2008/09/excavating-the-funerary-temple-of-thutmose-iii/ The photo does not make it clear but if you look at the bottom you can see the asphalt road. It actually goes between the first and second pylons. I would love to see it moved and wonder if this might prompt some action in that area.

Just in case

Welcome if you have come from LuxorNews on Tour Egypt either http://touregypt.net/teblog/luxornews/ or www.luxornews.net. I have put up this alternative just in case they get affected by the hurricane. I remember last time there was one there they lost a couple of servers and it took a while for them to get back up as the whole state was affected.

A bit of personal news, I have been accepted at Manchester University as a student on their 4 year Online Egyptology Course. I am so looking forward to it. I am hoping it increases my understanding which means I can share even more with you.

We have had a quiet summer and with a bit of ill health I have not been able to get out and about but tonight I sat in my bedroom watching TV and realised I had not got the a/c on so it must be cooling down. So I hope to be out and about soon.

Botanical Room at Karnak Temple

Although Karnak is one of the busiest places and nearly all the tourists go there it is also one of the biggest. As a consequence there are loads of parts of it that no one ever goes too. e.g The Open Air Museum
Someone recently contacted me about the Botanical Room at Karnak asking for photos. I had not got the ones she wanted but Stan of Eternal Egypt had and here they are.
It is a really tricky place to photograph as the relief work is so low and you need shadow. Which means visiting it at several different times of the day. He is a fantastic photographer and his site well worth looking around.
Other quieter parts of Karnak are the Khonsu Temple where Ed Johnson has been running a field school. The recent restoration has brought out some wonderful colour.
Also the Ptah temple where for a little baksheesh the guardians will do a great trick with the light and put a spotlight on the Sekhmet statue inside using only a mirror and the sun.