Labeka
Vivian, Cassandra (2000) The Western Deserts of Egypt, pp. 86-7:
"One of the most spectacular complexes in Kharga, Qasr al-Labeka is tucked into a beautiful wadi at the base of the northern escarpment. The ruins are impressive with three marvelous buildings, two aqueducts, several rock tombs, and plenty of shards. Labeka had one of the largest fortresses in Kharga. There must have been plenty of activity here when it served as a guardian along the Darb al-Arbain. Despite the broiling sun of summer and the bitter cold of winter nights, despite the slaves that were paraded past its lofty towers, there must have been quiet, peaceful moments when the scarp glimmered pink and white in the winter sun and the stars illuminated the crystal clear sky at night.
The Temple
The most northerly building at the main site of Qasr al-Labeka is a 12 meter square (38 feet square) mudbrick temple perched upon a rock outcropping. Three walls are standing, while the fourth, the eastern one, has begun to collapse. There are three entrances, on the western, southern, and eastern walls respectively and the small, cluttered interior has three arches and a vaulted room. On the lintel of the fIrst arch is a small bit of plaster fresco that shows the wings of a vulture, representing the protective goddess of ancient Egypt. Along the sides of this arch is some graffIti.
The Roman Tombs
Along the ridge beside the temple are a number of Roman tombs dated from the fIrst to the fIfth centuries. One has been completely excavated and sits in the side of the hill like a mini Abu Simbel minus Ramses II's giant statues. Additional tombs have been located in the mountains west of the fortress and more cemeteries have been found.
The Fortress
The fortress, some distance away, has four circular towers, one at each corner of the 12 meter (38 foot) mudbrick walls. The interior, fIlled with sand, but accessible by a door in the eastern wall, is divided into chambers with domed ceilings. At one time there were several buildings surrounding the fortress. Between the two buildings, surrounded by a modern mudbrick wall, is an ancient spring.
Second Temple
This temple was rediscovered by Adel Hussein of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization during the 1991-92 season. John Ball described it in 1898 as a well preserved, unburnt brick, battered wall Christian chapel with three rooms, three windows on either side, and traces of painted stucco on the doorways. It has now been dated to the third century. There is evidence that this temple may be dedicated to Hercules. If it is, this is the second temple in the Western Desert now known to be dedicated to Hercules. The other, also unpublished as of the summer of 1999, is at Bahariya. After Hussein the site was investigated further by the French Mission. A limestone hawk statue was found here, now in the Kharga Museum.
Aqueducts
There are at least two aqueducts, called manafis at Labeka. (See Dabadib for details.) Today the source is dry and silted up, but the surrounding vegetation indicates the presence of water below and locals maintain the water can be tapped. The French mission has been working at Labeka for the past five years and they have discovered wonderful things."
"One of the most spectacular complexes in Kharga, Qasr al-Labeka is tucked into a beautiful wadi at the base of the northern escarpment. The ruins are impressive with three marvelous buildings, two aqueducts, several rock tombs, and plenty of shards. Labeka had one of the largest fortresses in Kharga. There must have been plenty of activity here when it served as a guardian along the Darb al-Arbain. Despite the broiling sun of summer and the bitter cold of winter nights, despite the slaves that were paraded past its lofty towers, there must have been quiet, peaceful moments when the scarp glimmered pink and white in the winter sun and the stars illuminated the crystal clear sky at night.
The Temple
The most northerly building at the main site of Qasr al-Labeka is a 12 meter square (38 feet square) mudbrick temple perched upon a rock outcropping. Three walls are standing, while the fourth, the eastern one, has begun to collapse. There are three entrances, on the western, southern, and eastern walls respectively and the small, cluttered interior has three arches and a vaulted room. On the lintel of the fIrst arch is a small bit of plaster fresco that shows the wings of a vulture, representing the protective goddess of ancient Egypt. Along the sides of this arch is some graffIti.
The Roman Tombs
Along the ridge beside the temple are a number of Roman tombs dated from the fIrst to the fIfth centuries. One has been completely excavated and sits in the side of the hill like a mini Abu Simbel minus Ramses II's giant statues. Additional tombs have been located in the mountains west of the fortress and more cemeteries have been found.
The Fortress
The fortress, some distance away, has four circular towers, one at each corner of the 12 meter (38 foot) mudbrick walls. The interior, fIlled with sand, but accessible by a door in the eastern wall, is divided into chambers with domed ceilings. At one time there were several buildings surrounding the fortress. Between the two buildings, surrounded by a modern mudbrick wall, is an ancient spring.
Second Temple
This temple was rediscovered by Adel Hussein of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization during the 1991-92 season. John Ball described it in 1898 as a well preserved, unburnt brick, battered wall Christian chapel with three rooms, three windows on either side, and traces of painted stucco on the doorways. It has now been dated to the third century. There is evidence that this temple may be dedicated to Hercules. If it is, this is the second temple in the Western Desert now known to be dedicated to Hercules. The other, also unpublished as of the summer of 1999, is at Bahariya. After Hussein the site was investigated further by the French Mission. A limestone hawk statue was found here, now in the Kharga Museum.
Aqueducts
There are at least two aqueducts, called manafis at Labeka. (See Dabadib for details.) Today the source is dry and silted up, but the surrounding vegetation indicates the presence of water below and locals maintain the water can be tapped. The French mission has been working at Labeka for the past five years and they have discovered wonderful things."
Page last updated, 2nd June, 2011