Sarabeet Al-Khadem resurrected; Middle Kingdom temple under King Snosert
Egypt, Local, 8/16/2002

Sarabeet Al-Khadem Temple, or the Turquoise Temple as archaeologists call it, is one of the most important and beautiful temples of the ancient Egyptian temple, especially of the Middle Kingdom under King Snosert I.

The temple is located in south Sinai, 53 km off Abu Zeneima, on the Suez Gulf. It was subject to sabotage during the Israeli occupation of Sinai and damage due to natural agents as it is located in a high mountainous area.

Minister of culture, Farouk Hosni decided the implementation of an immediate project for the restoration and rescue of that unique temple and opening it for tourism late this year. The project, included in the national project for the development of the Sinai, would cost some L.E. 10 million.

Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities, Zahi Hawwas said that the temple is 1500 m above sea level, adding that it is highly characterized among Pharaonic temples with its plan and building on the top of the highest mountain tip in the area. He explained that ancient Egyptian kings used to send mining missions to extract turquoise form Sarabeet Al-Khadem Mount, known as the Steps of Turquoise. The Temple of Hathour was built in that area. Sinai was later called the Land of Turquoise, that light blue precious stone, he remarked.

Those missions erected many memorials carrying the dates of the missions, number and job of each worker and the names of their chief. This could be the only temple that illustrates names of ordinary people. This is why many called it the Temple of the People, Hawwas added.

On his part, Director of Lower Egypt and Sinai monuments Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud announced that in addition to the inscriptions of the temple itself, 387 inscriptions were discovered in the area. The project of restoring the temple includes precise architectural restoration of the templeÕs walls and decorations. This is in addition to paving a special way, with signs and solar-energy lights, to the temple over high hills.

Moreover, director of south Sinai monuments, Ghareeb Ibrahim said that due to the importance of the site in tourism map of south Sinai, especially for safari tourism, the project would comprise the establishment of a center for providing all services needed. The center, to be located at the foot of the mount, will encompass cafeteria, WCs, police station, ticket outlets and gift shops. This is in addition to establishing a small telefric for carrying visitors through high mountains, he concluded.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt draws plan to restore stolen antiquities   (8/15/2002)
  Osiris'priest Pharaonic cemetery unearthed on Egypt - Alexandria highway   (8/12/2002)
  Works in Aswan suspension bridge end by late August   (8/10/2002)

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