ABSTRACT
The ancient Koptos was one of the most important cities of Egypt from the earliest historic period until after the Moslem invasion. It lies near the Wady Hammamat, which was the regular caravan route to the Red Sea and the course by which all the Eastern trade passed into Egypt. As late as Roman times it was worth while to have a customs post at Koptos, and a list of customs dues has been found inscribed on a stone slab which had been set up half-way between the town and the desert.
