Abydos, The First Cult Center

Capital Cities

Abydos is one of the oldest cities in Egypt and was in use from the Pre-Dynastic Period through the 1st to 30th Pharaonic Dynasties. Found in Upper Egypt the area is today 11km West of the River Nile and contains what are considered some of the most important archaeological sites that remain in Egypt today. Many of the 1st and 2nd Dynasty Pharaohs were buried in the area, Funerary Enclosures were commissioned, a Pyramid was built, and Temples were erected by the New Kingdom Pharaohs, Seti I and his son, Ramses II.

Last, but never least, is the unique Osirion, the legendary burial place of the God Osiris as well as the Cult centre of the God Osiris and his wife, Goddess Isis. To learn more about the burial place of God Osiris is so important to the Ancient Egyptians, click here.

As a Nationally recognised Cult Centre, Abydos was visited throughout its Pharaonic history as a pilgrimage site, and they have left records that Archaeologists have been able to decipher today.

Click on the relevant Image below to visit the area in Abydos

Pharaoh Seti I’s
Great Temple

7 Chapels built within the Temple for worshipping Seti I and the Gods

The Osirion

Built by Pharaoh Seti I and is a monument to the God Osiris’ memory

Royal Ceremonial Boats

The oldest ‘planked’ boat that has been discovered to date

S9 & S10 Burial Sites

Burial loctions for Pharaoh Neferhotep I and Pharaoh Sobekhotep IV

Sanctuary of Osiris

Historians know that at least 9 Temples were erected for the God Osiris here as it is thought to be the God’s Burial Location

Mortuary Temple of Senwosret III

Allowing his cult to continue to pray for him after his death

Temple of Pharaoh Ramses II

Depicting a Sacrificial Procession of Animals to the God Osiris on the interior Walls

Shunet el Zebib

The largest walled Mortuary Enclosure or Ka House that has been located before the Mortuary Temples built during the New Kingdom Period. The “House of the Ka” for Pharaoh Khasekhemwy

Mahat Chapels of Mentuhotep II & Ramses I

Funerary Chapel for each of the Pharaohs

Wah Sut

Settlement for the construction workers which was constructed and lived in whilst the workers were building the Mortuary Complex of Pharaoh Senwosret III

Tomb of the First Pharaohs

Necropolis of the Early Dynastic Pharaohs from approximately 2900-2686 BC

Monuments of Pharaoh Ahmose I

First Pharaoh of Dynasty 18 he built a few monuments here as well as a Pyramid as a Tribute and not a Tomb

Kom el Sultan

The Area known as Kom el Sultan is made from Mud Bricks and is a large structure which is proposed to be the main part of the original settlement from the early Dynastic Period, which was from 3150 to 2686 BC.

It is thought to contain the early Temple of Osiris, the Pilgrim’s Path from Kom El Sultan to Umm El Qa’ab, the Tombs of the First Pharaohs, the Statue of Khufu, and the Temple to Ramses II.