Elephantine Island

Elephantine Island • Where is Elephantine Island Located? • Elephantine Island in Ancient Times • The Temples of Elephantine Island • The Nilometer • The Aswan Museum • Jewish Presence on the Island Elephantine Island acquired its name because of its shape which resembles Elephants that are standing in the Water, or some would also say it resembles an Elephants Tusk,whichever way you see it Elephantine Island provided a variety of attractions for people visiting the picturesque City of Aswan. Where is Elephantine Island located? Elephantine Island which measures approx.. a total of 1,200 meters from the North to the South and 400 meters at its widest point, Elephantine Island and other local Islands can be identified from the West Bank Clifftops along the River Nile and is located just downstream from the first Cataract in the Nile, on the border between Upper Egypt and and Lower Nubia. It is attainable to reach Elephantine Island by a Felucca or by a Ferry, which you can rent from the Banks of the River Nile in Aswan. Elephantine Island in Ancient Times Before the City of Aswan exsisted in Ancient Times Elephantine Island was the Site of a Pharaonic Era Trading Town which was known as Swenet, which used the Island and the tempesturious waters of the first Cataract as protection from any attacks. The strategy of its location which was just below the Cataract made it an important Trade Centre, where caravans from the South discharged their goods to be transported North on the River. At one time Elephantine Island was an important Trading Centre for the Trading of Ivory, which provided granite for the building of many constructions in Ancient Egypt. Left standing from the Pharaonic settlement is the late-Pharaonic Era Temple of Khnum, and more partially excavated , ruins that are strewn across the remainder of the Island. The Island also house the Aswan Musem and an Ancient Nilometer taking the form of Ancient Stairs which lead into the Water which is cut into the rock that exhibited markings in Arabic,Roman and Pharaonic numerals, Palm Groves hide two Nubian Villages which are in the Middle of the Island which on a regular basis host Tourists and amazing scenery which lines the River. The Luxury Hotel Movenpick Aswan is also located at the Northern end of the Island. The Temples of Elephantine Island. The Temples of Amenhotep III and Thutmose III, at one time stood in the Sites of the Elephantine Island, unfortunately they were destroyed when Mohammed Ali took power over Egypt and imposed the Muslim Religion over its lands. Approx. 3000 BC the first Temple was built on the Island and it was known as the Temple of Satet, the Temple under went refurbishment and modifications across the next 3000 years. Also documentation shows the existence of an Egyptian Temple of Khunum of the Third Dynasty, and which the Temple was completely reconstructed during the Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt prior to the Greco-Roman Period. The Nilometer Another well known attraction for the Tourists who visit the Elephantine Island is the Nilometer, which was originally constructed to measure the Water levels of the River Nile, and to clarify during the annual Flood Season. There are twp Milometers which are located on the Elephantine Island, the more favoured one is a Corridor Milometer which is associated with the Temple of Satis and is one of the oldest Nilometers in Egypt. The Aswan Museum. The Aswan Museum which is located on the South Eastern Side of Aswan on Elephantine Island is a popular Site among the Tourists who visit the Region. The Aswan Museum which has been opened to the Public since 1912, houses many Artifacts that reveals the Story about the Region of Nubia . Another sector of the Museum was opened in 1990 and displays objects which were uncovered on the Grounds of Elephantine Island itself, objects including Mummies, Potteries, utensils and Weapons. Most of the Artifacts and objects have been uncovered by the German Archieological Instituet, this includes a Mummified Ram of Ram of Khnum, and a very rare Calendar, which is famously known as the Elephantine Calendar of Things from the Thutmose III reign. Jewish Presence. It is recorded that a Jewish Community once lived within the Elephantine Island approx.. in the Fifth Century BC, they constructed and maintained their own Temple when sacrifices were offered to many Gods as they followed the Polytheistic Beliefs in the community.