Sarabit al-Khadim

There were thousands of quarries in ancient Egypt, but some of the most famous ones are the turquoise quarries at Sarabit al-Khadim in South Sinai.

Geologically, South Sinai is similar to Egypt’s Eastern Desert. Erosion of younger rocks overlaying the basement complex have created several large peaks, the most famous being Gebel Katherina, part of the Gebel Zebir (2642 meters). A complicated wadi system was formed by the many faults in the area, enabling quartz with veins of copper, manganese and iron to form. Sandstone is exposed in several parts of the southern half of the peninsula and contains the highly sought-after turquoise and malachite.

Turquoise is found in tombs in Egypt from the predynastic period, indicating early exploitation of the area although it was not used on a large scale until the 12th dynasty.

The most well known archaeological feature on the site is the temple of Hathor, "Lady of Turquoise", initially erected during the Middle Kingdom. The earliest attested royal name is from a lintel naming Sesostris I. During the New Kingdom, the temple was significantly expanded and a series of halls were built in a line. A large number of stelae were erected in and around the temple, recording mining expeditions, religious texts and spells. Small finds include votive objects, figurines and other objects brought from the Nile valley and the Delta. Two main paths led up to the temple, flanked by votive stelae.

At least 20 turquoise mines have been found in the area, concentrated to the southwest of the temple. The majority of the rock-cut inscriptions related to mining activities date to the Middle Kingdom, although both earlier and later remains are known. Two large groups of inscriptions have been identified; one dating to the 12th dynasty and the other to the New Kingdom.

Amlaak map showing official border of Sarabit al-Khadim

The site was rediscovered during Carsten Niebuhr's campaign in 1762. The entire area was surveyed several times during the 19th century, and W.M.F. Petrie conducted excavations at the Hathor temple in 1904-1905. Most recently, Dominique Valbelle and the SCA have begun programmes of restoration and documentation.

An increase in the number of visitors to the site in the last few decades has prompted programs of rehabilitation and conservation. The Hathor temple still needs proper conservation and restoration measures and protection against further damage caused by earthquakes and flash floods.

Border of Sarabit al-Khadim overlayed on 1:100,000 topographical maps

To read more about Sarabit al-Khadim and the geology of the Sinai peninsula, see:

Bonnet, C. and D. Valbelle. 1997. The Middle Kingdom temple of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadim. In S. Quirke (ed.) The Temple in Ancient Egypt. United Kingdom: British Museum Press, 82-89.

Mumford G.D. 1999. Serabit el-Khadim in Bard K. (ed.) Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt. London: Routledge. 722-5.

Petrie, W.M.F. 1906. Researches in Sinai. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company.

Sampsell, B. 2003. A Traveler’s Guide to the Geology of Egypt. Cairo: AUC Press.

Valbelle, D. 1996. Le sanctuaire d'Hathor, maîtresse de la turquoise: Sérabit el-Khadim au Moyen Empire. Paris: Picard.

Click here for photos of the site, taken during the EAIS site visit in August 2006.