The earliest evidence of activity at the site dates to the Old Kingdom, and some Second Intermediate and New Kingdom pottery has been found as well. The major period of occupations seems to have been the 26th dynasty with architectural remains, tombs and statuary recorded. A temple probably existed here in the 30th dynasty which was destroyed by Artaxerxes III during in the Second Persian Occupation. The site represented a maritime harbor for Mendes and is currently being excavated by Dr. Mumford.
During the last decades, the site has greatly diminished in size and is being subjected to looting. Parts of the site are scheduled for removal for expanding agricultural fields and water works.