Ancient Egyptian rock art discovered near Aswan may be from the dawn of the first dynasty

Live Science ^ | July 12, 2025 | Laura Geggel

[SunkenCiv]

An ancient Egyptian rock engraving may have been carved at the dawn of the first dynasty, up to 5,100 years ago, a new study suggests...

The engraving is stylistically similar to ancient Egyptian rock panels from the protodynastic period and early first dynasty -- periods that aren't well known to archaeologists. These similarities hint that the newfound carving may hold clues about the formation of the Egyptian state, according to the study...

The "intriguing new" rock engraving was found on the west bank of the Nile River near Aswan in November 2022, during a survey that was documenting rock art in the region ahead of the construction of New Aswan City...

To date the rock art, Vanhulle examined its style. The boat's sickle-like shape and figures pulling it resemble boat depictions from the protodynastic and early dynastic periods, he noted, adding that the cabin is similar to depictions of late predynastic boats. The boat also appears to have "horns" on the top of its second cabin -- a feature that was common in the beginning of the first dynasty, he wrote.

However, Vanhulle does not think this individual is Narmer, who founded the first Egyptian dynasty around 3085 B.C. That's because the engraving lacks a serekh, a hieroglyphic symbol that portrays a palace facade carrying the king's name and has Horus, the falcon-headed god.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: ancientnavigation; aswan; dynasty0; egypt; epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs; laurageggel; livescience; predynastic

[SunkenCiv]

The rock art panel shows a boat dragged by five figures. It has a standing figure holding an oar and the head and right shoulder of a seated figure inside the boat's inner structure, possibly a cabin.

Image credit: Dorian Vanhulle (2025); Antiquity Publications Ltd.

[SunkenCiv]

• Divers find long lost carvings of Tutankhamun's grandfather and other Egyptian pharaohs at bottom of Nile River [07/26/2024]
• Hundreds stung by scorpions in Egypt due to bad weather, officials say [11/16/2021]
• Egyptian archaeological mission discovers Roman fort remains in Aswan [01/21/2021]
• 100 Ancient Egyptian Inscriptions Found at Amethyst Mining Site [04/01/2019]
• The Tower of Syene: A Prophetic Wonder [Aswan Dam Tower] [01/30/2019]
• Stone Engravings Of Famous Warrior Pharaoh Found In Ancient Egyptian Temple [10/09/2018]
• Stunning sphinx discovered at ancient Egyptian temple [09/17/2018]
• Egyptian archaeologists find sandstone sphinx in temple at Aswan [09/16/2018]
• Archaeologists find bust of Roman emperor in Egypt [Marcus Aurelius] [04/23/2018]
• Star of David found engraved into an ancient Temple arouses bustle in Egypt [04/08/2016]
• Earliest Historical Detection Of Scurvy Discovered In Aswan [01/24/2016]
• Aswan tombs attacked [06/23/2013]
• Archaeoligists: Iraqi Dam Threatens City [02/05/2003]

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

• Dynasty 0 (Egyptian colonies in Canaan) [11/27/2004]

[BenLurkin]

“During the Predynastic and Protodynastic periods (c. 4500-3085 BC), the periods which foreshadowed Pharaonic Egypt, the boat is ubiquitous and invested with complex ideological and symbolic meanings.”

Interesting.

[SunkenCiv]

Sounds like someone had a *sail* on complex ideological and symbolic meanings. 😊

[linMcHlp]

Teenagers did not have paint spray cans.

[BenLurkin]

I just think it’s interesting that boats feature prominently in their art from the very beginning.

[foundedonpurpose]

Wondered if they discovered the original “Rhyme of the ancient Mariner”? A true, early form of rock art.

[SunkenCiv]

They’ve been around a loooooong time. :^)

[SunkenCiv]

Sidebar: Coleridge recited his poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” while hanging with friends, and their young daughter was hiding behind the divan, listening to it. Later she became well-known in her own right, Mary Shelley.