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Aswan Museum: A Window into Nubian History

Explore Nubian history and ancient artifacts at the Aswan Museum on Elephantine Island. Discover relics from pre-dynastic times to the Roman era.

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Located on Elephantine Island, the Aswan Museum showcases a rich collection of artifacts from Nubia and Elephantine, offering insights into the region's history from pre-dynastic times to the Roman era. The museum provides a unique blend of indoor exhibits and outdoor ruins, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the island's ancient past.

A brief summary to Aswan Museum

  • Абу, Aswan, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan Governorate, EG

Local tips

  • Take the free Aswan-Oberoi ferry from the center of Aswan to Elephantine Island to reach the museum.
  • Visit the Ruins of Abu, located near the museum, to see ongoing archaeological excavations.
  • Check out the Nilometers to understand how ancient Egyptians measured the Nile's water level.
  • Explore the museum's garden, which features caves with rock carvings and a Nubian house.
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Getting There

  • Boat

    From Aswan city center, the most common way to reach the Aswan Museum on Elephantine Island is by boat. Several options are available: **Public Ferry:** A local ferry operates from near the Corniche in Aswan. The cost is minimal, around 5 EGP per person. The ferry will drop you off on Elephantine Island, from where it's a short walk to the museum. **Motorboat:** Private motorboats can be hired from the Corniche. Negotiate the price before boarding; a typical short trip should cost around 50-100 EGP. This option offers more flexibility in terms of timing and drop-off location. **Felucca:** For a more traditional experience, hire a felucca (traditional sailboat). This is a leisurely option and may take longer to reach the museum. Agree on a price beforehand, usually around 100-150 EGP for a round trip including some waiting time.

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Discover more about Aswan Museum

The Aswan Museum, established in 1912, is located on the southeastern side of Elephantine Island in Aswan. Originally set up by British Egyptologist Cecil Mallaby Firth, the museum was initially intended to house Nubian artifacts salvaged during the construction of the Aswan Dam. In 1990, a new section was added to display findings discovered on Elephantine Island, including utensils, weapons, pottery, and mummies. The museum's collection includes statues of kings and individuals, mummies of rams (symbols of the god Khnum), various pottery types, architectural and decorative elements, sarcophagi, tools, and funerary paintings. Recent excavations by a German mission in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities led to the establishment of an annex displaying artifacts found on the island. The museum complex also features a garden, caves with rock carvings, minarets, a Nubian house, the temple of the goddess Satet, the Temple of Hekananu Ayb, and a Nilometer. Key exhibits include a sacred ram associated with the god Khnum, a mummy and sarcophagus near the entrance, and artifacts illustrating Elephantine Island's historical progression from 3000 BC to the 14th century AD. The Khnum Temple, dedicated to the god of the flood, dates back to the Old Kingdom and was reconstructed in Ptolemaic times. The museum also houses two Nilometers, ancient devices used to measure the Nile's water level. Visiting the Aswan Museum offers a comprehensive look into the history and culture of Aswan and Nubia, set against the backdrop of Elephantine Island's stunning scenery.

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