posted 26 June 2004 05:12 PM            

Minshah (Ptolemais]

In Graeco-Roman times the city of Ptolemais, in Middle Egypt, was the second or third most important city in Egypt. The remain of Ptolemais are now buried under the modern town of Minshah, but even on the modern rubbish dump remains of the ancient city can be found, like this pillar fragment:

Not only on the rubbish dump, but everywhere in Minshah remnants of its former glory can be seen poking through the surface, as is true for many places in Egypt. Here two different types of grinding-stones can be seen laying in one of the squares of the town with a decorated pillar capital lurking in the background:

Approximate position and date of the site: Minshah is located in Middle Egypt, on the west bank of the Nile about 15 km. south of Sohag and 120 km. north of Luxor. The remains of Ptolemais, once one of the most important cities in Egypt, are covered completely by this modern village. Literary sources indicate that the ancient city must date to at least the Ptolemaic period (3rd century BC - 1st century AD), but it was probably also active before and after that.