El-Lahun, Necropolis and archaeological complex in Faiyum Governorate, Egypt
El-Lahun is an archaeological complex in the Fayyum region with remains of a pyramid, residential buildings, and burial chambers from the Middle Kingdom period. The ruins sit on elevated ground near a historic irrigation canal and display the physical layout of a complete ancient settlement.
The settlement was built during the reign of Senusret II in the 12th Dynasty and functioned as an administrative and worker center for pyramid construction. Systematic excavations in the late 1800s uncovered the town layout and revealed documents that shed light on ancient governance practices.
The name El-Lahun comes from an ancient workers' town where craftsmen and laborers lived while serving the pyramid construction. Visitors can trace the layout of modest homes today and understand how daily life unfolded in this organized community.
The site is best visited with a guide who can explain the layouts and discoveries. Visitors should be prepared for desert conditions with plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear to navigate the uneven ruins comfortably.
Papyri discovered at this location contained records of legal cases, medical treatments, and even astronomical observations from ancient daily life. These texts offer a rare window today into the concrete concerns that occupied people back then.
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