Wadi el-Hudi (Arabic: وادي الهودي) is an area of Egypt’s Eastern Desert southeast of Aswan that was, in ancient times, a centre for mining because of its unique geology. It contains dozens of archaeological sites dating from the Paleolithic Period (about 200,000 years ago) to the Islamic Period (about 1,000 years ago) that stand like time capsules in the desert. Ancient Egyptian monuments are the most prevalent, consisting of walled settlements, amethyst mines, and rock inscriptions dating to the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1700 BCE) and the Roman Period (c. 1st to 4th centuries BCE-CE). The archaeology is preserved to an astonishing degree; walls stand to their original heights of two meters, ancient pottery covers the surface, and many inscriptions are carved into boulders surrounding the settlements and mines.
Location and Importance of Wadi el Hudi
The Wadi el-Hudi is a Southern Egyptian wadi in the Eastern Desert. There were ancient quarries for amethyst. The Wadi el-Hudi is vital in archaeology for its high number of rock inscriptions and stelae, mainly dating to the Middle Kingdom, and for tracing amethyst quarrying, which was especially popular in this Period. The Wadi el-Hudi ends in the Nile Valley a few kilometres north of Aswan and comes from the Southeast. The ancient amethyst quarries are about 20 kilometres southeast of Aswan.
Inscriptions
The earliest datable inscriptions in the Wadi el-Hudi belong to King Mentuhotep IV, who reigned around 2000 BC in the 11th Dynasty. These are five texts dated to the king’s first year and report the expedition’s aim as bringing amethyst. Further inscriptions date to the 12th Dynasty under king Senusret I. One mentions the vizier Intefiqer, another the high steward Hor. The 12th Dynasty kings Amenemhat II, Senusret III, and Amenemhat III are also attested with expeditions and inscriptions. The last 12th Dynasty king sending an expedition to the Wadi was Amenemhat IV. Finally, several texts provide evidence for an expedition under the 13th Dynasty king Sobekhotep IV. His expedition is dated to the sixth year of his reign. Hathor, the lady of amethyst, often appears in the inscriptions.
In March 2019, the discovery of more than 100 ancient inscriptions carved into the rock, 14 steles and 45 ostraca dated back to the Middle Kingdom was announced by archaeologists. In one of the 3,400-year-old stelas was written the name of a senior official named Usersatet.
Archaeology
In addition to the inscriptions, 39 archaeological sites exist across the region. They are amazingly well preserved, with walls still standing two meters high. These archaeological sites have the key to understanding gem mining, organization of labour by the Egyptian government, use of enslaved people in Egypt, Egyptian and Nubian interactions, literacy levels within a soldiering class, governmental supply and support of expedition projects, and where much of the amethyst from the ancient Mediterranean World likely originated.
Other mining activities, including gold mining, are known from different periods of Egyptian history, up to the Roman Period or perhaps just the Early Arab Period.
Early Excavations
Geologists and archaeologists had only inspected Wadi el-Hudi intermittently since 1917, when Geologist Labib Nassim discovered the ancient archaeological sites. In the 1940s, Egyptologist Ahmed Fakhry surveyed the area, identifying 14 archaeological sites and recording over 100 inscriptions. Fakhry published his drawings and photographs of Middle Kingdom inscriptions in 1952, which brought the importance of Wadi el-Hudi to the attention of Egyptologists. Later, in 1980, Ashraf Sadek completed the publication of Fakhry’s initial work. Ten years later, archaeologists began to work at Wadi el-Hudi when the sites were briefly visited by Ian Shaw, Robert Jameson, Rosemarie Klemm, and Dietrich Klemm in the 1990s as part of more extensive studies of Ancient Egyptian mining operations. But, when the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition began working in 2014, much remained to be discovered.
Wadi el-Hudi Expedition
Since 2014, the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition has been surveying and excavating archaeological sites of the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1700 BCE), Greco-Roman (c. 1st-century BCE-4th century CE), and Arab Period (6th century – 19th century) consisting of amethyst mines and their associated settlements. Wadi el-Hudi’s unique archaeology and inscriptions offer insights into mining technology and the social and economic organization of how ancient Egyptians obtained precious stones to make jewellery and other luxury items for members of the royal family and other elite.
Wadi el-Hudi lies in Egypt’s Eastern Desert southeast of Aswan, and its complex geology is rich in minerals such as amethyst and stone-like granite. First occupied in Paleolithic times (approximately 200,000 years ago), the region is rich in archaeological heritage. The ancient Egyptians established important mines in Wadi el-Hudi to acquire amethyst for making jewellery during the Middle Kingdom and in the Greco-Roman Period. These large-scale mining ventures required up to 1500 labourers and administrators who lived and worked in substantial walled settlements adjacent to the mines. Sometimes misidentified as military fortresses, these dry-stone settlements are still well-preserved today, with many standing close to their original height of two meters.
Over five seasons of work, the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition has used the latest technology. Innovative methods (read more here) to pursue several archaeological goals here: (1) document mines, temporary or transient sites, and rock inscriptions at 41 sites; (2) map the standing architecture at 11 settlements; (3) excavate many of these critical settlements, (4) analyze numerous artefacts from Wadi el-Hudi sites and (5) study over 280 inscriptions both at Wadi el-Hudi and in Egyptian museums from previous archaeological work in the early 20th century. The Wadi el-Hudi Expedition is currently creating 3D models of the major mines and settlements and engaging a program of archaeological science to analyze artefacts and inscriptions.
In addition to learning more about the past, the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition supports educational opportunities for students and early-career specialists. We support connections with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt and give opportunities to foster international contacts and work. Please see our mission statement.
