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Tanis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Coordinates: 30°58′37″N 31°52′48″E

Main page For other uses, see Tanis (disambiguation).

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Wikipedia store Tanis (/ˈtænɪs/; Ancient Greek: Τάνις; Ancient Egyptian: ḏˁn.t /ˈɟuʕnat/ or /ˈcʼuʕnat/[1]; Tanis
Arabic: ‫ ﺻﺎن اﻟﺤﺠﺮ‬Sạ̄ n al-Hạ gar; Coptic: ϫⲁⲛⲓ/ϫⲁⲁⲛⲉ[2]) is a city in the north-eastern Nile Delta Djanet
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of Egypt. It is located on the Tanitic branch of the Nile which has long since silted up. ‫ﺻﺎن اﻟﺤﺠﺮ‬
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About Wikipedia Contents [hide]
Community portal 1 History
Recent changes
2 Ruins
Contact page
3 Tanis and the Bible
Tools 4 In popular culture
What links here 5 See also
Related changes 6 Notes
Upload file 7 References The ruins of Tanis today
Special pages
8 Bibliography
Permanent link
9 External links
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
History [ edit ]
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 Create a book Tanis is unattested before the 19th Dynasty of Egypt, when it was the capital of the 14th
Download as PDF nome of Lower Egypt.[3][a] Most monuments found at Tanis that are datable earlier than the
Printable version
21st Dynasty, were in fact brought there from nearby cities, mainly from Pi-Ramesses, and
In other projects reused by the kings of the time. The earliest known Tanite buildings are in fact datable to
the 21st Dynasty.[5]
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During the late New Kingdom, the royal residence of Pi-Ramesses was abandoned
Languages
because of its branch of the Nile being silted up and its harbour consequently becoming
‫اﻟﻌﺮﺑﯿﺔ‬
unusable. After Pi-Ramesses' abandonment, Tanis became the seat of power of the
Deutsch
pharaohs of the 21st Dynasty, and later of the 22nd Dynasty (along with Bubastis).[3][5]
Español
Français The rulers of these two dynasties saw themselves as the legitimate successors on the
한국어 throne of Upper and Lower Egypt. They used traditional titles and displayed their royalty in Shown within Egypt
Italiano building work, although that pales when compared to activity at the height of the New Location San El-Hagar, Al Sharqia
Русский Kingdom.[6] A remarkable achievement of these kings was the building and subsequent Governorate, Egypt
Tiếng Việt
expansions of the Great temple of Amun-Ra at Tanis (at the time, Amun-Ra replaced Seth Region Lower Egypt
中 as the main deity of the eastern Delta), while minor temples were dedicated to Mut and Coordinates 30°58′37″N 31°52′48″E
31 more Khonsu whom, along with Amun-Ra, formed the Theban Triad.[5] Many of these rulers were Type Settlement
Edit links also buried at Tanis in a new royal necropolis, which replaced the one in the Theban Valley
of the Kings.[5]

In later times Tanis lost its status of royal residence, yet it remained populated until its
abandonment in Roman times.[3]

Ruins [ edit ]

Tanis was the site of numerous archaeological digs beginning in the 19th century, involving
Flinders Petrie and Auguste Mariette.

In 1866, Karl Richard Lepsius discovered at Tanis the Decree of Canopus—an inscription closely
related to the Rosetta Stone, which was likewise written in Egyptian (hieroglyphic and demotic)
and Greek. This discovery contributed significantly to the decipherment of hieroglyphics. Map of ancient Lower Egypt
showing Tanis
There are ruins of a number of temples, including the chief temple dedicated to Amun, and a very
important royal necropolis of the Third Intermediate Period (which contains the only known

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 intact royal Pharaonic burials — the tomb of Tutankhamun having been entered in antiquity).
Many of the stones used to build the various temples at Tanis came from the old Ramesside or ,
town of Qantir (ancient Pi-Ramesses/Per-Ramesses), which caused many former
generations of Egyptologists to believe that Tanis was, in fact, Per-Ramesses. However, the
Djanet (ḏˁn.t)
burials of three pharaohs of the 21st and 22nd dynasties — Psusennes I, Amenemope and
in hieroglyphs
Shoshenq II — survived the depredations of tomb robbers throughout antiquity. They were
discovered intact in 1939 and 1940 by Pierre Montet and proved to contain a large catalogue
of gold, jewelry, lapis lazuli and other precious stones including the funerary masks of these kings.

The chief deities of Tanis were Amun; his consort, Mut; and their child Khonsu, forming the Tanite
triad. This triad was, however, identical to that of Thebes, leading many scholars to speak of Tanis
as the "northern Thebes".

In 2009, the Egyptian Culture Ministry reported archaeologists had discovered the site of a sacred
lake in a temple to the goddess Mut at the San al-Hagar archaeological site in ancient Tanis. The
lake, built out of limestone blocks, had been 15 meters long and 12 meters wide. It was discovered The Royal Tombs of Tanis

12 meters below ground in good condition. This was the second sacred lake found at Tanis. The first
lake at the site had been identified in 1928.[7]

In 2011, analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery, led by archaeologist Sarah Parcak of the University of Alabama at Birmingham,
found numerous related mud-brick walls, streets, and large residences, amounting to an entire city plan, in an area that appears blank
under normal images. A French archeological team selected a site from the imagery and confirmed mud-brick structures approximately
30 cm below the surface.[8] However, the assertion that the technology showed 17 pyramids was denounced as "completely wrong" by
the Minister of State for Antiquities at the time, Zahi Hawass.[9]

Tanis and the Bible [ edit ]

See also: Zoan

The Biblical story of Moses being found in the marshes of the Nile River (Exodus 2:3-5 ) is commonly hypothesized to be located at
Tanis. However, no supporting archaeological evidence has been unearthed, and the demise of the city may well have been caused by
the relocation of Nile tributaries rather than a non-historical occupation by the Israelites.[10]

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 In popular culture [ edit ]

In the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tanis is said to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, which was hidden in a secret
chamber called the Well of Souls. Tanis is fictitiously described as having been buried by a sand storm until 1936, when it was discovered
by a German expedition outside Cairo. In reality, Tanis was the site of numerous archaeological digs beginning in the 19th century.

The novel The World's Desire by H. Rider Haggard is set primarily in Tanis.

See also [ edit ]

Canopus, Egypt

Notes [ edit ]

a. ^ Biblical archaeologist Benjamin Mazar believed that the Year 400 Stela, found in Tanis and datable to the 13th century BC, can be an evidence
that the site had some settlement in the 18th or 17th century BC.[4]

References [ edit ]

1. ^ Loprieno, Antonio (1995). Ancient Egyptian: A linguistic introduction. pp. 39, 245.
2. ^ Vycichl, W. (1983). Dictionnaire Étymologique de la Langue Copte, p. 328.
3. ^ a b c Snape, Steven (2014). The Complete Cities of Ancent Egypt. Thames & Hudson. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-500-77240-9.
4. ^ Benjamin Mazar, Encyclopedia Miqrait, "Eretz Yisrael", p. 682
5. ^ a b c d Robins, Gay (1997). The Art of Ancient Egypt. London: British Museum Press. pp. 195–197. ISBN 0714109886.
6. ^ De Mieroop, Marc Van (2007). A History of Ancient Egypt. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. p. 400. ISBN 9781405160711.
7. ^ Johnston, Cynthia. Pharaonic-era sacred lake unearthed in Egypt. Reuters, October 15, 2009.
8. ^ Pringle, Heather Satellite Imagery Uncovers Up to 17 Lost Egyptian Pyramids 27 May 2011
9. ^ Theodoulou, Michael (May 29, 2011). "Idea of 17 hidden pyramids is 'wrong' " . The National. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
10. ^ Lindsay Falvey (2013). "Musing on Agri-History". Asian Agri-History 17(2), p. 184.

Bibliography [ edit ]

Association française d’Action artistique. 1987. Tanis: L’Or des pharaons. (Paris): Ministère des Affaires Étrangères and Association
française d’Action artistique.

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 Brissaud, Phillipe. 1996. "Tanis: The Golden Cemetery". In Royal Cities of the Biblical World, edited by Joan Goodnick Westenholz.
Jerusalem: Bible Lands Museum. 110–149.
Kitchen, Kenneth Anderson. [1996]. The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (1100–650 BC). 3rd ed. Warminster: Aris & Phillips
Limited.
Loth, Marc, 2014. "Tanis – 'Thebes of the North’“. In "Egyptian Antiquities from the Eastern Nile Delta", Museums in the Nile Delta,
Vol. 2, ser. ed. by Mohamed I. Bakr, Helmut Brandl, and Faye Kalloniatis. Cairo/Berlin: Opaion. ISBN 9783000453182
Montet, Jean Pierre Marie. 1947. La nécropole royale de Tanis. Volume 1: Les constructions et le tombeau d’Osorkon II à Tanis.
Fouilles de Tanis, ser. ed. Jean Pierre Marie Montet. Paris: .
———. 1951. La nécropole royale de Tanis. Volume 2: Les constructions et le tombeau de Psousennès à Tanis. Fouilles de Tanis,
ser. ed. Jean Pierre Marie Montet. Paris: .
———. 1960. La nécropole royale de Tanis. Volume 3: Les constructions et le tombeau de Chechanq III à Tanis. Fouilles de Tanis,
ser. ed. Jean Pierre Marie Montet. Paris.
Stierlin, Henri, and Christiane Ziegler. 1987. Tanis: Trésors des Pharaons. (Fribourg): Seuil.
Yoyotte, Jean. 1999. "The Treasures of Tanis". In The Treasures of the Egyptian Museum, edited by Francesco Tiradritti. Cairo: The
American University in Cairo Press. 302–333.

Wendjebauendjed's Wendjebauendjed's cups Pharaoh Osorkon II's The gold funerary mask
funerary mask from Tanis tomb at Tanis of Psusennes I

External links [ edit ]

French Archaeological Mission of Tanis (Mission française des fouilles de Tanis) Wikimedia Commons has
Société Française des Fouilles de Tanis media related to Tanis,
Egypt.

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 Archaeology Magazine article on Treasures of Tanis
Tanis: San el-Hagar
Tanis in Encyclopaedia of the Orient
Travel information for Tanis

Preceded by Capital of Egypt Succeeded by

Pi-Ramesses 1078 – 945 BC Bubastis
Preceded by Capital of Egypt Succeeded by
Bubastis 818 – 720 BC Sais

V·T·E List of cities in Egypt [hide]

Cairo Governorate Cairo

Giza, 6th of October City, Sheikh Zayed City, El Hawamdeya, Bardrashin, El Saff, Atfih, El Ayyat, Bawiti,
Giza Governorate
Manshiyat al Qanater, Awsim, Kerdasa, Abu El Namras
Benha, Qalyub, Shubra El Kheima, El Qanater El Khayreya, Khanka, Kafr Shukr, Toukh, Qaha, Obour City, Khusus,
Qalyubia Governorate
Shibin El Qanater
Alexandria Governorate Alexandria, Borg El Arab, New Borg El Arab
Damanhur, Kafr El Dawwar, Rosetta, Edku, Abu El Matamir, Abu Hummus, El Delengat, El Mahmoudiyah,
Beheira Governorate
El Rahmaniya, Itay El Barud, Hosh Issa, Shubrakhit, Koum Hamada, Badr, Wadi El Natrun, New Nubariya
Matrouh Governorate Mersa Matruh, El Hamam, El Alamein, El Dabaa, El Negaila, Sidi Barrani, Sallum, Siwa Oasis
Damietta, New Damietta, Ras El Bar, Faraskur, Kafr Saad, El Zarqa, Assarw, Arrawda, Kafr El Battikh, Ezbet El Borg,
Damietta Governorate
Mit Abu Ghaleb
Mansoura, Talkha, Mit Ghamr, Dekernes, Aga, Minyat An-Nasr, El Senbellawein, El Kurdi, Bani Ebaid, El Manzala,
Dakahlia Governorate
Temay El Amdeed, El Gammalia, Sherbin, El Matareya, Belqas, Mit Salsil, Gamasa, Mahallat Damana, Nabaruh
Kafr El Sheikh, Desouk, Fuwwah, Metoubes, Baltim, El Hamool, Biyala, El Reyad, Sidi Salem, Qallin, Sidi Ghazi,
Kafr El Sheikh Governorate
Borg El Burulus
Gharbia Governorate Tanta, El Mahalla El Kubra, Kafr Az-Zayyat, Zefta, As-Santa, Qutur, Basyoun, Sebennytos

Monufia Governorate Shibin El Kom, Sadat (city), Menouf, Sirs Al-Layyan, Ashmoun, El Bagour, Quesna, Birket El Sab, Tala, Shuhada
Zagazig, 10th of Ramadan (city), Minya El Qamh, Bilbeis, Mashtool El Souk, Al-Qinayat, Abu Hammad, El Qurein,
Sharqia Governorate Hihya, Abu Kebir, Faqous, El Salheya El Gedida, El Ibrahimiya, Diyarb Negm, Kafr Saqr, Awlad Saqr, El Husseiniya,
Tanis, Monshaat Abu Omar
Port Said Governorate Port Said, Port Fuad

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 Ismailia Governorate Ismailia, Fayed, El Qantara East, El Qantara West, Tell El Kebir, Abu Suwir, Kassassin

Suez Governorate Suez

North Sinai Governorate Arish, Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah, Bir al-Abd, El Hasana, Nekhel

South Sinai Governorate El Tor, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, Saint Catherine, Abou Redis, Abu Zenima, Ras Sedr

Beni Suef Governorate Beni Suef, New Beni Suef, Al Wasta, Nasser, Heracleopolis Magna, Biba, Sumusta, El Fashn

Faiyum Governorate Faiyum, New Faiyum, Tamiya, Sinnuris, Itsa, Ibsheway, Yousef El Seddik

Minya Governorate Minya, New Minya, El Idwa, Maghagha, Beni Mazar, Matai, Samalut, Al Madinah Al Fikriyyah, Mallawi, Dir Mawas

Asyut Governorate Asyut, New Asyut, Dairut, Manfalut, El Quseyya, Abnub, Abu Tig, El Ghanayem, Sahel Selim, El Badari, Sidfa

New Valley Governorate El Kharga, Baris, Mut, Farafra, Balat

Red Sea Governorate Hurghada, Ras Ghareb, Safaga, El Qoseir, Marsa Alam, Shalateen, Halayeb
Sohag, New Sohag, Akhmim, New Akhmim, El Balyana, El Maragha, Ptolemais Hermiou, Dar El Salam, Girga,
Sohag Governorate
West Juhayna, Saqultah, Tima, Tahta
Qena Governorate Qena, New Qena, Abu Tesht, Nag Hammadi, Dishna, El Waqf, Qift, Naqada, Qus, Farshut

Luxor Governorate Luxor, New Luxor, New Thebes, Zainiya, Bayadiya, Kurna, Armant, El-Tod, Esna

Aswan Governorate Aswan, New Aswan, Daraw, Kom Ombo, Nasr Al-Nuba, Kalabsha, Edfu, Radisia, Busylia, Sebaiya, Abu Simbel

Capital cities are in bold font.

Categories: Populated places established in the 2nd millennium BC Populated places disestablished in the 6th century
Hebrew Bible cities Former populated places in Egypt Nile Delta 10th century BC in Egypt Former capitals of Egypt
Cities in ancient Egypt

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