The Temple of Derr

THE TEMPLE OF DERR
PART I.
INTRODUCTION AND TEXT.
Derr. called ed-Dirr b\ the inhabitants, is situated on the east bank of the
river about 190 miles south of Shellal. It is by far the largest township in
Lower Nubia and, before the conquest of that country by Mohammed Alv. was
a place of importance, being the seat of the Kashif, or native ruler, who held
sway over the territory that lies between Shellal and Haifa. The Kashifs palace,
a large building of crude brick, is still standing, and. though somewhat ruinous
in parts, is even now occupied by bis descendants. This palace and the mosque
adjoining it are well worth visiting. In the latter are some old Arabic inscriptions
engraved on slabs of alabaster inserted in the walls. Derr is still the administra-
tive centre of Lower Nubia, and its white government offices standing on the
river bank, with the minaret of the KasluTs mosque rising above them — all set
in the midst of extensive palm-groves. — never fail to attract the eye of the
passing traveller as he speeds Haifa-wards on the express steamer.
Just above Derr, the Nile makes an immense bend (1) and Hows almost due
south till it reaches Korosko (
'
2)
. In the description of the temple this fact, for the
sake of convenience, has been ignored and the walls referred to as though the
axis of the temple lay east and west. This is only following the example of the
Egyptians themselves, who always assumed the river to run north, and orien-
tated their temples and tombs accordingly.
All that now remains of the temple of Derr, which lies some way back from the
river behind the town, consists of two pillared halls, a sanctuary, and two side-
chapels (see PL I). These, with the exception of parts of the first hall, are entirely
excavated in the rather low cliff that marks the commencement of the high desert.
l " This must be — V J^ ^ * ^ « | the ^ eastern bend -, alluded to in an inscription in Penny's
J
tomb at Anibcli. L, I)., \U, ato', c. Perhaps also (Sethb, Urkunien, IV. -^^J^ 8) is a
name for this part of the river.
'2 » S. S. E.
The Temple of Derr. i