Gebel Zeit

Gebel Zeit (Gebel el-Zeit) is an ancient mining area in Egypt located on the Red Sea coast, south of Ras Gharib. The mountain massif contains mineral resources. During the Egyptian Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom several expeditions went from Coptos to Gebel Zeit.

History

Gebel Zeit is known for its mineral deposits including bitumen (waterproofing, adhesive) and galena. There were two mining sites. One of the sites had a sanctuary with figurines for Min, Horus, Ptah and Hathor.^[1]

Middle Bronze Age

Middle Kingdom

In the late Middle Kingdom, Amenemhat III sent expeditions to mine galena.^{[citation needed]}

Second Intermediate Period

In the Second Intermediate Period, expeditions to the galena mine is known during the reigns of Nebnun, Sehotepibre,^[2] and Bebiankh and later under Governor Minemhat of Coptos.

Late Bronze Age

New Kingdom

In the New Kingdom expeditions continued under several rulers, with activity under Amenhotep III and the latest securely date during the reign of Ramesses II.^[3]