A fortified town erected on the west bank of the Nile at the southern end of a series of fortresses founded during the 12th Dynasty (1985-1795 BC) in the second cataract area of Lower Nubia. The town was established in the reign of Senusret I (1965-1920 BC) and the forts were probably built to defend the southern limit of Egyptian penetration under the Middle Kingdom. The forts have also been used as trading stations.
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