Hierakonpolis was the Predynastic capital of Upper Egypt, and grew to prominence in the mid-third millennium BC. Dominating the site is an imposing structure built of unfired mud-brick, measuring 67 by 57 meters. Built by Khasekhemwy, the last ruler of Dynasty II (ca. (...)
Hierakonpolis was the Predynastic capital of Upper Egypt, and grew to prominence in the mid-third millennium BC. Dominating the site is an imposing structure built of unfired mud-brick, measuring 67 by 57 meters. Built by Khasekhemwy, the last ruler of Dynasty II (ca. 2800-2675 BC.) and one of Egypt's greatest builders and innovators, it is the oldest freestanding monumental mudbrick structure in Egypt. Archaeological trenches made in the foundations of the walls destabilized the structure, and wind and sand erosion enlarged these openings. Rain created vertical gullies running down many of the walls. The enclosure, along with the entire site of Hierakonpolis, was recently declared a protected antiquities zone by the government of Egypt, and was accurately surveyed, photographed, and documented. Despite the importance of the site, large holes were dug by those seeking buried artifacts and walls were pillaged by locals for clay to make bricks.
