The site served as the capital of the XVIIth nome of Lower Egypt. The earliest mention of the site comes from the reign of Tuthmosis III and it was inhabited until the sixth century AD. The main feature of the site is the large Amun temple which dates to at least the Third Intermediate Period. This temple was largely destroyed during the fifth century BC and rebuilt on a new plan during the 30th dynasty. During the first century BC, the temple again fell out of use and late Ptolemaic buildings, kilns and rubbish pits were created in the courtyard. Roman construction further destroyed the temple.
Like all Delta sites, erosion, flooding and the high water table cause problems at the site.