GEBELELZEIT

Modern name for a site in the Eastern Desert on the Red Sea coast north of modern Hurghada where the lead mines exploited by the ancient Egyptians from the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom were located. The site was discovered in 1982 and excavated from 1982–1986 by a French expedition. Apart from the mines, the site included small sanctuaries erected by the miners, notably to the deities Hathor, Horus, and Min, as well as graffiti. The lead was used for the production of eye makeup known by the Arabic word kohl.