The Gebel el-Silsila Archaeological Project
Our Story
Gebel el‑Silsila constitutes one of Egypt’s most significant archaeological and geological landscapes: a 30 km² zone where the Nile corridor narrows and the sandstone cliffs preserve an exceptional record of human activity. The area contains more than 100 quarries, numerous monuments, and over 5,000 inscriptions spanning from epi‑paleolithic rock art through the Pharaonic periods and into the early modern era.
In collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, the Gebel el‑Silsila Archaeological Project, established in 2012 by Dr Maria Nilsson and the late John Ward of Lund University, has completed eighteen field seasons to date. The mission is dedicated to the systematic documentation, analysis, and preservation of the site’s epigraphic, archaeological, and geological evidence. This work encompasses quarrying installations, transport systems, industrial infrastructure, religious architecture, and the diverse corpus of inscriptions left by ancient workers, officials, pilgrims, and later travellers.
Known in antiquity as Kheny, Gebel el‑Silsila served as a major industrial centre from at least the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE) through the Roman period. Its extensive sandstone quarries supplied material for temples and monuments across Egypt, providing crucial insight into ancient extraction techniques, labour organisation, and logistical networks. In parallel with its industrial role, Kheny developed as an important religious landscape, featuring at least three temples, numerous shrines and stelae, and a prominent cult centre dedicated to Sobek of Kheny.
The site’s arid environment presents ongoing conservation challenges, including erosion, structural instability, and the impact of modern looting. The project therefore integrates archaeological research with conservation strategies aimed at mitigating environmental and anthropogenic threats. In addition, the Gebel el‑Silsila Archaeological Survey Project engages local communities and international audiences through educational outreach and dissemination of research findings, contributing to a broader understanding of Egypt’s ancient industrial practices and their cultural significance.
Our Mission
The project aims to explore the methods used by ancient Egyptians to extract and transport the large sandstone blocks, which involved sophisticated tools and techniques. Quarry marks, inscriptions, and unfinished stone blocks help provide insights into these practices. The survey also focuses on identifying the remains of workers’ settlements, which can offer clues about the lives of laborers, who were likely seasonal workers, as well as the organization of the workforce. This includes investigating workers’ camps, residential structures, and related infrastructure. Inscriptions and reliefs found in the quarries reveal that the area had religious significance, with temples and shrines dedicated to local deities. The project examines the role of religious and administrative activities in the quarrying process, highlighting how quarrying and worship were intertwined.
Overall, the project contributes greatly to the broader understanding of ancient Egyptian quarrying practices and the socio-economic and cultural context in which they occurred, shedding light on the complexities of labour, technology, and administration in the ancient world.
Vision
Our vision is to learn about the past lives of the people of Gebel el-Silsila (in ancient times, known as Kheny). Our Archaeological Mission adopts an inclusive approach and is working continuously to publish in both academic and popular journals, as well as deliver talks and lectures on this amazing site.
