Assiut Celebrates its National Day
Egypt, Local, 4/18/2002

Assiut Governorate, lying about 370 kilometres south of Cairo, is indeed one of the oldest cradles of human civilization.

The Governorate derives its name from the ancient Egyptian word "Saut" meaning "guard", later altered to the present name Assiut. Such name reflected the position of Assiut as Egypt's gate to the south and the terminal of Al Arba'ieen road that linked the valley with the oases and Egypt with Suadn. In older times, man, who had inhabited the heights and mountains surrounding Assiut, had to move to the valley, in search of water and other means of life such as agriculture, hunting and fishing.

Assiut Governorate is famous for its historical , cultural and tourist monuments, such the renowned Tel El Amarna, Al Moharraq Monastery and Mear area, with pharaonic tombs dating back to the Sixth Dynasty.

Further hints on archeological sites Mountain engraved tombs of Assuit dignitaries and princes show fine inscriptions and drawing on walls.

Inscriptions on Hipgavi's tomb show a summary of ten contracts concluded by the famous Middle Kingdom prince and the Region's priests to perform funeral sites. It can be deducted from such contracts that ancient Egyptians were well aware of established legal rules such as "Contract is the law that governs contractual parties".

Assuit also houses many other ancient Egyptian, Coptic and Islamic monuments as well as many modern landmarks.

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