ABSTRACT
THEancientKoptoswasoneofthemostimportant citiesofEgyptfromtheearliesthistoricperioduntilafter theMosleminvasion.ItliesneartheWadyHammamat, whichwastheregularcaravanroutetotheRedSeaand thecoursebywhichalltheEasterntradepassedinto Egypt.AslateasRomantimesitwasworthwhileto haveacustomspostatKoptos,andalistofcustomsdues hasbeenfoundinscribedonastoneslabwhichhadbeen setuphalf-waybetweenthetownandthedesert.
