All the sandstone used to build all these temples had to come from somewhere and one of the places is called Gebel el-Silsila. It translates from ancient Egyptian as “The Place of Rowing”.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6884.jpeg?resize=1160%2C794&ssl=1)
Slaves were used to cut and remove huge blocks of sandstone that were then dragged down to the river and floated to their final destination.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6881.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
Ropes were used to create pulley systems that helped move the blocks across the sand and down the hill.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6873.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
You can see the eyelet chiseled into the sandstone through which a rope was threaded to create leverage.
Below is a rock face that has had blocks of sandstone chiseled from it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6864.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
Seeing it really brings to life the work that went into building all the temples.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6875.jpeg?resize=1160%2C1547&ssl=1)
In fact, there even was space for administration of the quarry.
Behold the world’s first office cubicle.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6876.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
These aren’t mummies but are statues representing the people that worked in the cubicles as quarry administrators.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6877.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
They might even be the world’s first HR reps!
![](https://i0.wp.com/pointyenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_6879.jpeg?resize=1160%2C870&ssl=1)
Quite an amazing stop along the Nile.