Egypt's Oldest Rock Inscription: Discovery Reveals Ruler Scorpion”!

Egypt's Oldest Rock Inscription: Discovery Reveals Ruler Scorpion”!

Current discoveries in Egypt shed new light on the beginnings of state structures in ancient Egypt. In Wadi el Malik, east of Aswan, the team led by the renowned Egyptologist Prof. Dr. Ludwig Morenz from the University of Bonn to remarkable rock carvings from the late 4th millennium BC. BC, which show, among other things, early hieroglyphs. This unique landscape is interspersed with hundreds of images that provide significant insights into the rule and structure of society at the time.

The rock inscription, which is considered the oldest known place name sign in the world, brings the term “Domain of the Horus King Scorpion” into play. Particularly exciting is the return to the ruler “Scorpion”, whose power and importance is far-reaching in the creation of the first territorial state in world history. This extends over 800 kilometers along the Nile Valley. The previously unknown figure “Skolopender” was also newly discovered and is considered by the researchers to be essential for understanding the Egyptian power staging.

Historical context of the discovery

Egypt is considered the world's first territorial state, a decision that only took place around 3100 BC. BC fell when rival population centers merged into a central system. Morenz highlights that the inscription on the rock in Wadi Abu Subeira, discovered over two years ago, contains a circular symbol. This suggests that the rock served as a marker of territory for such a remote region in the fourth millennium BC. BC is quite unusual. The regional expansion of Egypt took on a new face and supports the hypothesis about the early state organization in the Nile Valley.

The use of digital methods is revolutionizing the recognition of rock carvings. The researchers hope to launch a large-scale project to further explore this site, which is important not only for scientists but also for cultural tourists. A proposal to create a visitor center and guided tours could attract a lot of interest.

The role of gods in the staging of power

The depictions that show the relationship between gods and rule are particularly impressive. There are images of pairs of gods such as Bat, the celestial cow, and Min, the hunter god, who are directly linked to rule. The monumental rock carvings stage the claim to power and show drastic scenes of victories over enemies, including depictions of severed heads.

The scientific collaboration between the University of Bonn and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities promotes the exploration of the estimated 5,000-year-old history of this region and its importance for understanding the emergence of the state. The insights that emerge from these excavation-intensive studies are not only valuable to Egyptologists, but also enrich our cultural heritage as a whole.

It therefore remains to be seen what other secrets the desert around Wadi el Malik will reveal. The archaeological community is looking forward to fertile excavation sites that could teach us more about the origins of Ancient Egypt's complex civilization. These fascinating discoveries not only give us historical context, but also bring to life the sources that document the roots of this early culture.