Ancient site · City
Hierakonpolis (Nekhen)
Also known as Nekhen
The leading town of Upper Egypt before the pharaohs, about 100 km south of Luxor. Already by 3600 BCE it stretched over 3 km along the Nile, with breweries, potteries, a temple to the falcon god Horus and an elite cemetery.
Its 'Painted Tomb' has the oldest known Egyptian tomb painting. The Narmer Palette, which shows a king of about 3100 BCE triumphing over enemies, was found here.
- Dates
- c. 4000–2686 BCE (main period)
- Still standing
- No, or only traces
- Location
- 25.10° N, 32.78° E
How we know
The early town is dated by excavation and radiocarbon; writing appears only at the very end, on objects such as the Narmer Palette.
Nearby sites
- Luxor Temple c. 1400 BCE to Roman times
- Karnak Temple Complex c. 1970 BCE to Roman times
- Abydos c. 4000 BCE – late Roman times
- Abu Simbel temples c. 1264–1244 BCE
- Nabta Playa c. 7500–3500 BCE; stone circle 5th millennium BCE
- Hegra (Mada'in Salih) 1st century BCE – Roman period; tombs mainly 1st century CE
Related
- Naqada culture archaeological culture