Bahig and Kôm Bahig: Hills, Valley and History

Bahig between the village and the archaeological landscape

The archaeological site of Kôm Bahig lies northwest of the modern village of Bahig, giving the destination a special historical connection. The two places are distinct geographic reference points: the village is Bahig itself, while Kôm Bahig is an archaeological site in its immediate surroundings. The site is about 50 kilometres west of Alexandria and around one kilometre from the southern shore of Lake Mariout. It also lies south of the Pleistocene ridge of Gebel Mariout III. The lakeshore and the ridge provide two different geographic reference points for the archaeological landscape.

Two hills, a valley and a varied landscape

The site covers just under 17 hectares. Its shape is defined by two elongated, artificially raised hills running from north to south. A central valley separates the hills. Kôm Bahig is therefore not a single rise, but a clearly structured landscape with two ridges and a depression between them.

The surrounding area can also be distinguished by its location. Agricultural land borders Kôm Bahig to the north, while a marsh lies to the west. A village and scattered small kôms are located to the south. These directions help place the site within a diverse landscape: in addition to the raised hills, its character includes the central valley and the different features at its edges.

Ptolemaic building remains and archaeological interpretations

Remains of several buildings with thick mudbrick walls have been excavated at Kôm Bahig. The finds also include a large limestone building from the Ptolemaic period. The different materials give the architectural remains a distinct character: several buildings are identified by their thick mudbrick walls, alongside the large limestone structure.

The finds are probably the remains of an ancient sanctuary that existed until the end of the Ptolemaic period. The function of individual architectural features is also interpreted with varying degrees of certainty. An avenue near Kôm Bahig probably served as an access route to the temple of Bahig; a wall may have been the enclosure wall of a temenos. This suggests a possible picture of a cultic complex, although not all parts are interpreted with the same degree of certainty: the sanctuary and the avenue’s function are considered probable, while the interpretation of the wall remains a possibility.

Bahig as a location for your holiday apartment

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Bahig, distinguishing between the village and the archaeological site can help you find your way: Bahig is the place to stay, while nearby Kôm Bahig adds an archaeological highlight. Its historical context, two hills and central valley can each offer a different point of interest when choosing. Those particularly interested in cultural history will find not only building remains here, but also a landscape whose form and possible former use can be considered together.

More cultural highlights in the wider destination of Matruh

Other cultural sites in the wider destination of Matruh have their own distinctive focus. The exhibitions at the Marsa Matrouh Museum cover fishing, trade, astronomy, science and philosophy. The village of Shali in Siwa presents a different building history: it was built from salt-rich mud using a distinctive construction method and dates from the sixth century AH, or the twelfth century AD. These regional themes complement Kôm Bahig’s archaeological focus without conflating the different sites.

Discover more destinations: ADH Dheraa Al Bahri, Burj Al Arab.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Qesm Borg Al Arab.