|
|
Ancient Egypt / Cities and Villages /
Tanis
Egyptian: djanet
Greek: tanis
Hebrew: zoan
Ruined former capital of Ancient Egypt between 11th and 8th centuries BCE, during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. For an even longer period it was the capital of the 14th nome of Lower Egypt.
It is located in the Nile Delta, near one of the smaller canals coming from the Nile river. It rests on a mound rising 3-10 metres above the usual terrain; quite unusual for this region.
Tanis' economy was based on trade, where it served as a staging post for seaborne trade with Asia.
It was a large and rich city, today attested by the vast mounds south of the partially excavated area. It housed one of the largest temples ever built in Egypt, dedicated to Amon, together with a number of other temples. Much of the building materials were taken from Piramesse and other nearby sites in the Delta area.
It has been suggested that Tanis was not the administrative centre of Egypt during the 21st Dynasty, that it only was a cultic centre, and that the kings of this dynasty had their residence in Memphis.
The modern-day town here is called San el-Hagar, with about 12,000 inhabitants.
History
Around 2350 BCE: According to one theory, Tanis is founded at this time in history.
Around 1075: Tanis is made capital (and according to another theory, also founded) by the kings of the 21st dynasty, who began building a large temple dedicated to Amon.
712: The king of the 25th dynasty, Shabaqo defeats the Libyan rulers, and makes Memphis the new capital. Also, a new regional city emerges, Pelusium, taking over much of the eastern trade of Tanis.
1860 CE: Excavations are begun by Auguste Mariette.
1939: Six small, but intact royal tombs from the 21st and 22nd Dynasties are discovered. Silver coffins, gold masks and jewellery all belonged to what is now called The Treasure of Tanis.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
|
|
|
