|
An
Egyptian-Belgian archaeological mission has
discovered a cave at Al-Quseir on Egypt's Red Sea coast which contained
remains dating back to 7000 BC. The
Secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA),
said that the cave contained
wall paintings as well as a collection of stone age tools including axes,
scrapers, knives and awls made of granite. The paintings of animals,
birds and boats were
similar to those found in another cave 500 metres away which was also
unearthed by the team.
These remains prove the existence of a Stone-Age culture in the area.
Al-Quseir,
known in Ptolemaic times as the White Harbour, has a long history as one
of the major ports of the Red Sea. Al-Quseir was a well-known city in
ancient times, where traders and pilgrims elbowed their way through crowds
of foreigners and locals. From here, Queen Hatshepsut launched her
expedition to the Land of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deir el-Bahari
temple at Luxor. Legend has it that the expedition returned with two live
panthers and 21 incense trees.
The name Al-Quseir in Arabic translates as a "smaller version"
of a palace, and could derive from the esteemed position the city held as
a strategic port. Ottoman sultans saw the city as key for trading, but
also recognised the need to protect it from outside invaders. The Ottoman
fortress built at Al-Quseir was a military stronghold and later housed
French troops trying to cut off supplies coming from the Arabian Peninsula
to Mameluke leaders. The fortress has recently been renovated and is
expected to open shortly. The fortress and the Farran Mosque are the
city's main tourist sites, along with a now defunct 19th-century
quarantine hospital, where pilgrims were detained.
 Though
still somewhat unremarkable, Al-Quseir has come a long way from its stint
as a major industrial town, when it was equated with phosphate mines. Ten
years ago, Al-Quseir was still a remote southern area with precious
little draw for the traveller, but in the mid-1990's, it started to
become a destination for diving. The luxury resorts moved in, the
fishermen moved out and the rest is obvious. The phosphate mine is now
closed and most of the locals have switched over from fishing into
tourism-related jobs.
The
town turned into a quiet resort with sandy beaches, clear waters
and coral reefs. Its narrow streets are lined
with colorful bazaars which have a decidedly Bedouin accent.
|
How to get there
From outside Egypt: Some international flights now go to Quseir, otherwise fly direct to Cairo
then either take an internal flight or go overland by bus or by car.
From Cairo Overland: You may like to book a tour through a travel
agent or hire your own transport. Bear in mind that desert driving
has special requirements and be sure to get a suitable vehicle and
guidance on possible hazards. 0therwise you can travel to each
location by bus or service taxi and arrange trips from there.
From Al-Quseir:
An ancient caravan
trail, to Qift in the Nile Valley, leads
from al-Quseir through the mountains, passing several Pharaonic
and Roman sites. A new road, directly to Luxor, opens soon,
if it is not open already. |
|
