Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating to Predynastic periods. Elephantine is Greek for elephant. It is believed that the island received it's name because it was a major ivory trading center, though in fact, it was a major trading post of many commodities One of it's main attractions is it's Nilometer, which is one of only three on the Nile, which was used to measure the water level of the Nile as late as the nineteenth century. Elephantine Museum, another major attraction is the ruins of the Temple of Khnum, Elephantine Island was considered to be home of this important Egyptian god, and while this structure dates back to the Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, there are references to a Temple of Khnum on the island as Elephantine Island is a beautiful place to visit, with wonderful gardens and some truly significant artifacts. It is also a good place to spend some leisure time, wondering among the Nubian villages where the people are friendly and the houses are often very colorful
IWNTA - SIGHTSEEING - Aswan - Elephantine Island (Museum)
