ABSTRACT
HOU AND KASR ES SAvAD 27 during the Old and Middle Kingdoms. During the XVII th dynasty there was here a settlement of those Nubian tribes who buried their dead in what are called "pan-graves," and who, perhaps, were retained here as soldiers. As there was a fortress here in Roman times, it is quite possible that there was one in early days also. Cemeteries of the XVII I th dynasty have also been found, and that the city was at this time flourishing is shown by the size of the tax which the officials were called upon to pay each year to the crown. In the reign of Thothmes II Ird the tax paid by the Recorder of the city consisted of five debens of gold, a large quantity of grain, and other items now unreadable, while the Scribe of the Recorder paid three debe1Zs of gold. I n the XX I I nd dynasty we read of a Priest of Hathor, Lady of Diospolis Parva, who was made Governor of the Oases. The Oasis of EI Khargeh is most easily reached by the caravan route from Hou, the journey on camels taking about four to five days. The remains of the temple at Hou bear the names of Ptolemy VlIth, Philometer 1st, Ptolemy Xth, Philometer lInd, the Emperor Nerva, and the Emperor Hadrian. The fortress built here in Roman times may have bec!n used as a basis of communication with the oasis.
