(Note: coordinates are based on the WGS 84 datum and correspond precisely with
the locations visible in Google Earth. Revised 19 April 2009)
Note: formation descriptions are based mainly on quarry samples and, to a lesser extent, on more general, published studies of formations.
ALEXANDRIA FORMATION (Pleistocene)
Calcarenite limestone: fine-grained, occasionally silty/sandy (quartzose), friable, highly porous packstones to mainly grainstones (calcarenites) with mostly nonskeletal carbonate grains (especially ooliths and coated grains) [0-5 % dolomite].
Mediterranean Coast:
1. numerous quarries on both sides of Mallahet Mariut marsh near Alexandria: between Abu Sir [30d 56.80m N, 29d 30.00m E] and Burg el-Arab [30d 55.00m N, 29d 32.70m E] villages to the southwest and Mex village [31d 9.25m N, 29d 50.6m E] to the northeast. Mostly destroyed but well preserved near Abu Sir. (Pt-R)
KOM EL SHELUL FORMATION (Pliocene)
Limestone: coarse-grained, sandy (quartzose) packstones and grainstones (?) with mainly oysters.
West Bank of Nile Valley:
95. Dahshur pyramids area [29d 49.21m N, 31d 12.05m E near the Faraon Mastaba, and 29d 48.12m N, 31d 11.80m E near the Red Pyramid] (OK:4)
MOGHRA FORMATION ? (Lower Miocene)
Limestone (no further information available).
Western Desert:
96. Siwa Oasis at Gebels Takrur, Mawta and Aghurmi [29d 12.30m N, 25d 32.60m E at Gebel Aghurmi] (Pt-R)
MOKATTAM FORMATION (Middle Eocene, Lutetian stage)
Limestone: fine-grained, silty/sandy (quartzose), occasionally clayey mudstones, wackestones and packstones with mainly foraminifera (globigerinids, globoratalids, operculinids and especially nummulitids) and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially echinoids [0-10% dolomite].
West Bank of Nile Valley:
2. at Giza pyramids [29d 58.50m N, 31d 7.95m E] (OK:4)
3. near Saqqara pyramids: at Djoser pyramid [29d 52.15m N, 31d 12.90m E] (ED:3)
97. near Abu Sir pyramids [29d 52.98m N, 31d 12.25m E] (OK:5)
4. near el-Lahun pyramid [29d 14.20m N, 30d 58.25m E] (MK:12)
East Bank of Nile Valley:
5. at Zawyet Nasr on Gebel Mokattam near the Citadel [30d 1.60m N, 31d 16.20m E] (OK/MK-NK ?)
6. on Gebel Tura near Tura village [29d 56.0m N, 31d 17.92m E] (ED:3, OK-R) PHOTO: sample 1
7. on Gebel Hof near el-Masara village [29d 54.90m N, 31d 19.20m E] (MK-R ?) PHOTO: sample 1
Wadi Arab area, Eastern Desert:
92. in Wadi Umm Zanatir near St. Antony Monastery [28d 56.30m N, 32d 23.70m E] (B or Is: unknown c.) -- orange calcareous dolostone (mudstone) PHOTO: sample 1
93. in Wadi Abu Mu'aymil near St. Antony Monastery [28d 53.90m N, 32d 19.50m E] (B or Is: unknown c.) -- light to dark gray and black limestones (mudstone) PHOTOS: sample 1, sample 2, and sample 3
94. in Wadi Umm Damarana near Bir Buwayrat [28d 49.49m N, 32d 3.94m E] (Is ?: unknown c.) -- mottled white and purple/pink limestone (coarsely crystalline)
SAMALUT FORMATION (Middle Eocene, Lutetian stage)
Limestone: coarse- to mainly very coarse-grained, highly porous packstones and grainstones with mainly nummulitid foraminifera, and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially echinoids and alveolinid foraminifera [0-5% dolomite].
Nile Valley — all are on the East Bank except 19:
8. near el-Sawayta village [28d 22.61m N, 30d 48.06m E] (NK-LP)
9. at el-Babein tomb near Beni Khalid village [28d 18.28m N, 30d 45.04m E] (OK/MK, NK:19-20) PHOTO: sample 1
10. near Deir Gebel el-Teir village (mostly destroyed) [28d 16.90m N, 30d 44.83m E] (OK/MK ?)
98. at Gebel el-Teir village [from 28d 13.11m N, 30d 45.75m E in the north to 28d 12.86m N, 30d 45.86m E in the south] (age ?)
11. near Tihna el-Gebel village and Akoris ruins [28d 11.05m N, 30d 46.50m E] (NK:20, Lp-R ?)
12. near el-Hawarta village [28d 9.95m N, 30d 46.60m E] (R ?)
13. near Nazlet Husein Ali village [28d 8.40m N, 30d 46.65m E] (R ?)
99. in Wadi el-Sheikh Muhammad [28d 7.46m N, 30d 47.22m E] (age ?)
14. near Sawada village in Zawyet Sultan district [28d 4.50m N, 30d 48.56m E] (NK:18)
15. near Nazlet Sultan Pasha village in Zawyet Sultan district [28d 4.10m N, 30d 49.05m E] (NK-R)
16. near Zawyet el-Amwat village in Zawyet Sultan district [28d 3.30m N, 30d 49.90m E] (NK-R) PHOTO: sample 1
17. in Wadi Sheikh Yasin in Zawyet Sultan district [28d 3.15m N, 30d 50.72m E] (NK-R)
18. near Darb Tila Nufal track in Zawyet Sultan district [28d 2.70m N, 30d 51.35m E] (NK-R ?)
19. near Dirwa village (a.k.a. Tuna el-Gebel) and Petosiris tomb [27d 44.35m N, 30d 42.00m E] (Pt-R)
MINIA FORMATION (late Lower Eocene to early Middle Eocene, Ypresian to Lutetian stages)
Limestone: fine- to coarse-grained packstones and grainstones with mainly echinoids and foraminifera (nummulitids, alveolinids and orbitolids), and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially pelecypods (mainly oysters) [0-5% dolomite].
Nile Valley — all are on the East Bank except 35:
20. near Nazlet el-Diyaba village [27d 56.40m N, 30d 52.91m E] (R ?)
21. near Beni Hasan tombs [27d 54.64m N, 30d 52.30m E] (OK/MK-NK, R) PHOTO: sample 1 ; sample 2
22. near el-Sheikh Timay village [27d 51.70m N, 30d 50.72m E] (OK/MK-Pt)
23. near el-Sheikh Ibada village and Antiopolis ruins [27d 49.59m N, 30d 52.60m E] (OK/MK, R)
24. near Deir Abu Hennis village [27d 46.76m N, 30d 55.28m E] (NK-R)
25. in Wadi el-Nakla near Deir el-Bersha village [27d 45.07m N, 30d 55.16m E] (OK/MK, NK:18, L:30, Pt) PHOTO: sample 1
26. near el-Bersha village on Gebel Sheikh Said [from 27d 43.24m N, 30d 53.67m E in the north to 27d 43.05m N, 30d 53.65m E in the south] (NK: 18?)
27. near entrance to Wadi el-Zebeida on Gebel Sheikh Said [27d 42.36m N, 30d 53.40m E] (NK:18 ?)
28. near Sheikh Said tomb on Gebel Sheikh Said [from 27d 41.98m N, 30d 53.34m E in the north to 27d 41.70m N, 30d 53.40m E in the south] (NK:18)
29. in western Wadi el-Zebeida [27d 41.57m N, 30d 54.10m E] (MK ?)
30. in central Wadi el-Zebeida (a.k.a. Abd el-Azziz Quarry) [27d 41.37m N, 30d 54.35m E] (MK ?)
31. near eastern Wadi el-Zebeida (a.k.a. Queen Tiy Quarry) [from 27d 41.01m N, 30d 54.13m E in the west to 27d 40.38m N, 30d 55.07m E in the east; 1.8 km long NW to SE and up to 0.6 km wide; ~0.7 square km] (NK: 18)
32. near Northern Tombs at Amarna ruins [27d 39.72m N, 30d 55.78m E] (NK: 18)
33. near Deir el-Quseir village on Gebel Abu Foda [27d 29.60m N, 30d 52.38m E] (age ?)
34. in and near Wadis Abu Helwa and Magberi on Gebel Abu Foda [27d 25.30m N, 30d 52.90m E] (OK/MK-NK)
35. near Meir village [27d 26.0m N, 30d 42.41m E] (OK/MK)
36. at and near Deir el-Amir Tadros monastery on Gebel Abu Foda [27d 22.77m N, 30d 57.47m E] (NK:19)
37. at and near Deir Abu Mina monastery on Gebel el-Harrana [27d 21.40m N, 31d 0.88m E] (age ?)
38. near el-Maabda village on Gebel el-Harrana [27d 20.72m N, 31d 1.70m E] (LP-R) PHOTO: sample 1
39. near Deir el-Gabrawi village on Gebel el-Tawila [27d 20.33m N, 31d 6.19m E] (NK:19)
40. on el-Ketf promontory on Gebel el-Harrana [27d 19.60m N, 31d 2.88m E] (NK:19)
41. near Arab el-Atiat el-Bahariya village on Gebel el-Harrana [27d 20.07m N, 31d 3.97m E] (Pt-R)
42. on Talet el-Hagar promontory near Wadi el-Assiut [27d 17.37m N, 31d 18.05m E] (age ?)
DRUNKA FORMATION of the THEBES GROUP (Lower Eocene, Ypresian stage)
Limestone: fine-grained mudstones, wackestones, packstones and grainstones with mainly echinoids, foraminifera (nummulitids, alveolinids and operculinids) and nonskeletal carbonate grains, and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially pelecypods (mainly oysters) [0-5% dolomite].
West Bank of Nile Valley:
43. below el-Izam monastery near Assiut city [27d 9.25m N, 31d 8.90m E] (age ?)
44. between Assiut city and Drunka village [27d 9.36m N, 31d 10.55m E] (MK-NK)
45. at and between el-Aldra Maryam and Sawiris monasteries near Deir Drunka village [27d 6.2m N, 31d 10.22m E] (OK/MK)
46. near Deir Rifa village [27d 4.55m N, 31d 11.00m E] (NK)
47. near Sidi Abu el-Haris tomb [27d 2.70m N, 31d 13.59m E] (age ?)
48. between Sidi Abu el-Haris tomb and Deir el-Bileida ruins [27d 2.38m N, 31d 13.72m E] (age ?)
49. at Deir el-Bileida ruins [27d 1.95m N, 31d 13.95m E] (age ?)
50. near el-Balyza village [27d 1.29m N, 31d 14.37m E] (age ?)
51. between el-Balyza and Abu Khurs village [27d 0.40m N, 31d 14.67m E] (age ?)
52. between el-Abu Khurs and el-Zaraby villages [26d 59.20m N, 31d 14.91m E] (age ?)
53. near el-Zaraby village north of Wadi Sarga [26d 58.45m N, 31d 15.00m E] (OK/MK-NK)
54. at el-Adra Maryam monastery near Wadi Sarga and Deir el- Ganadla village [26d 55.63m N, 31d 16.99m E] (OK/MK)
55. near el-Mashaya village [26d 54.90m N, 31d 17.35m E] (age ?)
56. near el-Ghanayim Bahari village [26d 53.4m N, 31d 18.38m E] (R ?)
57. near Sidi Mansur tomb [26d 52.85m N, 31d 18.74m E] (age ?)
58. near el-Ghanayim Qibli village [26d 52.24m N, 31d 19.18m E] (age ?)
59. near el-Aghana village [26d 51.60m N, 31d 19.74m E] (age ?)
60. near el-Qarya Bil Diweir village [26d 50.55m N, 31d 20.04m E] (age ?)
61. near Sidi Abu Khiris tomb and Nazlet Imara village [26d 46.89m N, 31d 21.53m E] (age ?)
62. near Nag el-Tawalib village [26d 46.40m N, 31d 22.59m E] (age ?)
63. near Nag Hamad village and Athribis ruins [26d 30.56m N, 31d 39.76m E] (Pt-R ?)
64. near el-Salmuni village and Abydos ruins (mostly destroyed) [26d 12.25m N, 31d 52.55m E] (MK-LP ?)
65. in Wadi Naqb el-Salmuni near Abydos ruins [26d 11.61m N, 31d 51.95m E] (MK-LP ?)
East Bank of Nile Valley:
66. near Wadi Emu [27d 7.17m N, 31d 21.41m E] (age ?)
67. near el-Khawalid village [27d 5.61m N, 31d 23.22m E] (age ?)
68. near el-Nazla el-Mustagidda village [27d 4.72m N, 31d 23.62m E] (age ?)
69. between el-Nazla el-Mustagidda and Deir Tasa villages [27d 3.80m N, 31d 24.27m E] (age ?)
70. near el-Iqal Bahari village [26d 59.55m N, 31d 27.55m E] (age ?)
71. near el-Baiyadiya village [26d 57.57m N, 31d 27.68m E] (age ?)
72. near el-Iqal el-Qibli village [26d 56.59m N, 31d 28.81m E] (R ?)
73. at el-Hammamiya village [26d 56.23m N, 31d 29.24m E] (age ?)
74. between el-Hammamiya village and Antaeopolis ruins [26d 55.45m N, 31d 29.55m E] (NK:18)
75. at and near Qaw el-Kebir/Antaeopolis ruins [from 26d 55.31m N, 31d 30.01m E in the southwest to 26d 55.79m N, 31d 30.62m E in the northeast] (OK/MK-NK, Pt-R) PHOTO: sample 1 ; sample 2 ; sample 3
76. near el-Nawawra village [26d 50.12m N, 31d 32.18m E] (age ?)
77. near el-Khazindariya village on Gebel el-Haridi [26d 47.67m N, 31d 32.49m E] (NK:20)
78. near Nazlet el-Haridi village on Gebel el-Haridi [from 26d 46.63m N, 31d 33.11m E in the north to 26d 46.34m N, 31d 33.32m E in the south] (OK/MK) PHOTO: sample 1
79. near Abu el-Nasr village on Gebel el-Haridi [26d 45.74m N, 31d 33.82m E] (Pt)
80. between Abu el-Nasr and el-Galawiya villages on Gebel el- Haridi [26d 45.70m N, 31d 35.60m E] (OK/MK ?)
81. near el-Galawiya village [26d 45.57m N, 31d 37.34m E] (age ?)
82. at Istabl Antar between el-Haradna and Urban Beni Wasil villages [26d 42.77m N, 31d 40.49m E] (age ?)
83. near Qurnet Salamuni village [26d 37.14m N, 31d 45.29m E] (age ?)
84. at el-Salamuni village [26d 37.07m N, 31d 45.85m E] (NK ?)
SERAI FORMATION of the THEBES GROUP (Lower Eocene, Ypresian stage)
Dolomitic limestone: fine-grained, sometimes silty/sandy (quartzose) and clayey, abundantly to mostly sparsely fossiliferous mudstones, wackestones and packstones with mainly foraminifera (globigerinids, globoratalids, nummulitids and operculinids) and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially pelecypods (mainly oysters) and echinoids [15-40% dolomite].
West Bank of Nile Valley:
85. near Wadi el-Muluk (Valley of Kings) and Qurna [25d 44.78m N, 32d 37.35m E] (NK:18, LP:26, R)
86. near el-Ghrera village in el-Gebelein district - now destroyed [25d 29.86m N, 32d 28.74m E] (MK-Pt ?) PHOTO: sample 1
East Bank of Nile Valley:
87. near Nag el-Ahaywa village [26d 26.06m N, 31d 50.23m E] (3IP) -- possibly Drunka Fm.
88. near Sidi Musa tomb on Gebel Tukh [26d 24.90m N, 31d 50.72m E] (OK/MK-R) -- possibly Drunka Fm.
89. near Nag el-Buza village [26d 5.70m N, 32d 18.18m E] (age ?)
ISSAWIA FORMATION (Upper Pliocene)
Dolomitic limestone to calcitic dolostone: fine-grained, slightly silty/sandy (quartzose), sparsely fossiliferous, brecciated mudstones and wackestones with mostly globigerinids and lesser amounts of echinoids [45-55% dolomite].
West Bank of Nile Valley:
90. on Gebel el-Gir near Tentyris/Dendara ruins [26d 6.27m N, 32d 41.70m E] (LP:30-R ?)
TARAWAN FORMATION (Upper Paleocene, Landenian stage)
Dolomitic limestone: fine-grained, sometimes clayey, sparsely fossiliferous, micritic mudstones with mainly globigerinid foraminifera, and lesser amounts of other invertebrates, especially nummulitid foraminifera [15-20% dolomite].
East Bank of Nile Valley:
91. near el-Dibabiya village [25d 30.08m N, 32d 31.16m E] (NK:19,
3IP:21, R) PHOTO: sample 1
Note: travertine occurs as secondary veins and pods in the limestones of the Mokattam, Samalut, and Minia formations. All quarries are in the Eastern Desert and most are within 25 km of the Nile Valley.
General description: alternating bands of white, fine-grained and brown, coarse-grained calcite, and occasionally massive amber- brown calcite [= calc-sinter travertine].
This rock is the alabastrites (after the alabastron jars) of the Greeks and Romans. This terminology is the origin of the petrologically incorrect name of "alabaster." Alabaster, as now defined by geologists, refers to a variety of gypsum.
1. in Wadi el-Garawi near Helwan city [29d 48.66m N, 31d 27.57m E] (OK:4 ?) PHOTO: sample 1
2. in Wadi Araba near Wadi Askhar el-Qibli [29d 4.78m N, 32d 3.10m E] (R) PHOTO: sample 1
3. in Wadi Umm Argub near Wadis Muwathil and Sannur [28d 38.10m N, 31d 16.03m E] (LP ?) PHOTO: sample 1 ; sample 2 ; sample 3
4. numerous quarries in el-Qawatir area opposite el-Minya city [28d 6.20m N, 30d 49.00m E] (OK/MK-NK)
5. in Wadi el-Barshawi near el-Amarna ruins [27d 42.37m N, 30d 56.16m E] (MK ?)
6. in central Wadi el-Zebeida (a.k.a. Abd el-Azziz Quarry) [27d 41.37m N, 30d 54.35m E] (MK ?)
7. near Wadi el-Zebeida and Northern Tombs at Amarna ruins [27d 40.56m N, 30d 55.58m E] (NK:19)
8. at Hatnub near el-Amarna ruins [27d 33.30m N, 31d 1.39m E] (OK:4-6, MK:12, NK:18, R) PHOTO: sample 1
9. near Wadi Assiut [27d 18.93m N, 31d 21.56m E] (NK:18) PHOTO: sample 1
____________________ SANDSTONE ____________________
Note: all formations belong to the Nubia Group.
General description (based on quarry samples): brownish, highly porous, subarkosic arenite to quartz arenite sandstone (with the former restricted to the finer grain sizes). This friable rock is loosely cemented with quartz, iron oxides (goethite and minor hematite) and chlorite clay plus minor amounts of kaolinite clay and calcite. The sedimentologic descriptions of the formations which follow are based on more general, published studies of the Nubia Group.
.......... NORTH OF ASWAN — NILE VALLEY ..........
DUWI FORMATION (Upper Cretaceous, Late Campanian to Early Maastrichtian stages) [also known as the "Phosphate Formation"]
Almost nothing is known about this sandstone — it may be similar to the underlying Quseir Formation.
West Bank:
1. near Hierakonpolis ruins [25d 4.54m N, 32d 44.60m E] (NK-R)
East Bank:
2. at el-Mahamid village near el-Kab ruins [25d 8.26m N, 32d 46.96m E] (OK/MK ?, Pt) PHOTO: sample 1 ; sample 2
3. at Ramesses II/Ptolemy IX temples near el-Kab ruins [25d 8.07m N, 32d 49.05m E] (NK:19, Pt)
4. near el-Keijal village [25d 4.10m N, 32d 51.78m E] (age ?)
QUSEIR FORMATION (Upper Cretaceous, Early to Late Campanian stage) [also known as the "Variegated Shale"]
Very fine- to fine-grained, flat-bedded and ripple cross- laminated sandstone.
West Bank:
5. between Nag el-Raqiein and Nag el-Hosh villages [24d 44.78m N, 32d 55.22m E] (R ?)
6. at Nag el-Hosh village [24d 44.19m N, 32d 55.27m E] (Pt-R)
7. in Wadi el-Shatt el-Rigal [24d 41.10m N, 32d 55.41m E] (MK, NK:18)
8. near Nag el-Hammam village [24d 40.65m N, 32d 55.49m E northern workings, and 24d 39.96m N, 32d 55.50m E southern workings] (MK-NK)
East Bank:
10. near el-Kilh Sharq village [25d 2.97m N, 32d 53.33m E] (Pt-R)
11. at el-Bueib ruins on Gebel el-Sirag [24d 48.59m N, 32d 54.86m E] (MK-NK:18)
UMM BARMIL FORMATION (Upper Cretaceous, Santonian to Early Campanian stages, and perhaps, in part, Late Turonian stage) [also known as the "Taref Sandstone"]
Coarse-grained to mainly fine- to medium-grained, mostly tabular cross-bedded sandstone.
West Bank:
9a. at Gebel el-Silsila - West [24d 38.94m N, 32d 55.75m E] (MK-NK) PHOTO: sample 1
12. near Nag el-Fuqani village and opposite el-Kattara village [24d 12.53m N, 32d 51.53m E] (Pt)
13. in Gharb Aswan district opposite Geziret Bahrif island [24d 9.77m N, 32d 52.10m E] (age ?)
East Bank:
9b. at Gebel el-Silsila - East [24d 38.57m N, 32d 56.00m E] (MK-NK, Pt-R) PHOTO: sample 1
14. from Sidi el-Hasan tomb to Ezbet Ali Amer village in Gharb el-Gaafra district [from 24d 21.87m N, 32d 56.04m E in the north to 24d 20.11m N, 32d 55.32m E in the south] (Pt-R ?)
15. from el-Hadedoon village to Sidi Abd el-Aziz tomb in Gharb el-Gaafra district [from 24d 18.81m N, 32d 54.67m E in the north to 24d 18.30m N, 32d 54.69m E in the south] (Pt ?)
16. on Gebel el-Hammam near Khor Abu Subeira - now destroyed [24d 13.63m N, 32d 52.49m E] (NK:18)
TIMSAH FORMATION (Upper Cretaceous, Coniacian to Santonian stages)
Very little is known about this sandstone — it appears to be relatively fine-grained and may be similar to the overlying Umm Barmil Formation.
West Bank:
17. at Gebel Qubbet el-Hawa opposite Aswan [24d 6.11m N, 32d 53.26m E] (OK/MK ?)
35. at St. Simeon Monastery [24d 5.68m N, 32d 52.54m E] (OK-MK)
East Bank:
18. near Aswan - now destroyed [24d 3.70m N, 32d 53.70m E] (age ?)
.......... SOUTH OF ASWAN — NILE VALLEY ..........
Note: all quarries are now under Lake Nasser except possibly part of the one at Qertassi and those in northern Sudan. All latitudes and longitudes are approximate. Temple locations referred to are those prior to removal to new sites.
ABU AGGAG FORMATION (Upper Cretaceous, Turonian stage)
Fine- to very coarse-grained but mainly medium- to coarse- grained, mostly trough cross-bedded, kaolinitic sandstone with common thin granule to pebble conglomerate interbeds.
West Bank:
19. near Dabod temple [approx. 23d 53.8m N, 32d 51.2m E] (ME/Pt-R)
20. near Qertassi temple [approx. 23d 42.0m N, 32d 53.1m E] (Pt-R)
21. near Tafa temple [approx. 23d 27.9m N, 32d 51.7m E] (R)
22. near Kalabsha temple [approx. 23d 33.05m N, 32d 51.8m E] (Pt-R)
23. between Abu Hor and Merowa villages (may be Sabaya Fm.) [somewhere between 23d 29.0m N, 32d 53.0m E in the north and 23d 26.0m N, 32d 54.0m E in the south] (Pt-R ?)
SABAYA FORMATION (Lower Cretaceous, Albian to Early Cenomanian stages)
Relatively little is known about this sandstone — it may be fine- to coarse-grained and mostly trough cross-bedded with occasional conglomeritic interbeds.
West Bank:
24. near Qurta temple [approx. 23d 2.5m N, 32d 40.0m E] (NK:18 ?, R ?)
25. near Agayba village in the Mitiq district [approx. 22d 51.0m N, 32d 33.5m E] (age ?)
26. near Tumas village [approx. 22d 45.1m N, 32d 8.8m E] (NK:18-19)
27. opposite Gezira Dabarosa village, Sudan [approx. 21d 57.0m N, 31d 18.0m E] (age ?)
28. near Buhen ruins, Sudan [approx. 21d 53.0m N, 31d 15.0m E] (MK-NK ?)
29. at Abd el-Qadir opposite Dorginarti island, Sudan [approx. 21d 50.5m N, 31d 14.0m E] (NK ?)
East Bank:
30. near Qasr Ibrim ruins [approx. 22d 38.9m N, 31d 59.5m E] (MK:12 ?, NK-R ?)
31. at Nag Deira in the Tuskha East district [approx. 22d 30.4m N, 31d 53.5m E] (NK ?)
.......... OTHER SANDSTONE LOCALITIES ..........
WESTERN DESERT (Nubia Group, probably either Quseir or Taref Formation, Upper Cretaceous)
36. at Qaret el-Farangi in Bahariya Oasis [28d 20.82m N, 28d 51.35m E] (Pt-R ?)
37. at el-Muzawqa near el-Qasr village in Dakla Oasis [25d 40.90m N, 28d 50.30m E] (Pt-R ?)
32. on Gebel el-Teir in Kharga Oasis [25d 31.00m N, 30d 29.00m E] (LP-R
?)
EASTERN DESERT (Nubia Group, probably Quseir Formation, Upper Cretaceous)
33. near el-Muweih ruins on Qift-Quseir Road [25d 56.70m N, 33d 23.91m E] (R)
34. at Bir el-Kanayis temple in Wadi el-Kanayis on Edfu-Marsa Alum Road [25d 0.25m N, 33d 18.00m E] (NK:19 ?, R)
________________ OTHER SOFT STONES _________________
1. at Umm el-Sawan, northeastern Faiyum [29d 42.70m N, 30d 53.00m E] (ED-OK)
Alabaster gypsum: nearly opaque white with dark (red-brown to black) parallel veins, massive, fine-grained alabaster gypsum (this variety of gypsum is the true "alabaster"; in the past, this name has been incorrectly applied to Egyptian travertine) [Qasr el-Sagha Formation, Late Eocene]. PHOTO: sample 1
2. in Wadi Saqiyah near Wadi Semna, Eastern Desert [two sites: 26d 19.87m N, 33d 39.44m E in the north; and 26d 19.56m N, 33d 39.33m E in the south] (R: 1st c.AD)
Talc schist: grayish-green [Precambrian basement]
11. in Wadi Ma'awad [25d 18.73m N, 33d 40.40m E] (R)
Talc schist: greenish-gray [Precambrian basement]
3. at Gebel Rokham near Wadi Miya, Eastern Desert - now destroyed [25d 17.98m N, 33d 57.94m E] (NK, Pt-R)
Marble: variously colored and banded to mainly white, fine- grained; calcitic with minor brucite and dolomite [Precambrian basement]. PHOTO: sample 1
4. near Wadi Mubarak, Eastern Desert [25d 16.14m N, 34d 26.24m E] (LP:26, late R-early Is)
Steatite: dark grayish green, medium-grained [Precambrian basement] PHOTO: sample 1
5. near Wadi Abu Qureya, Eastern Desert [25d 13.95m N, 34d 2.75m E] (R ?, Is: unknown c.)
Steatite: dark greenish gray or mottled green and orange, fine-grained [Precambrian basement] PHOTOs: sample 1 ; sample 2 ; sample 3 ; sample 4
6. in and near Wadi el-Humra [25d 14.40m N, 33d 58.20m E in the west to 25d 13.30m N, 34d 0.20m E in the east] (Is: unknown c.)
Steatite: light to dark green or mottled green and orange, fine- to coarse-grained [Precambrian basement] PHOTOS: sample 1 ; sample 2
7. in Wadi Umm Salim, Eastern Desert [25d 7.77m N, 34d 0.50m E] (Is: unknown c.)
Steatite: grayish green, fine- to medium-grained [Precambrian basement]
8. at Gebel Rod el-Barram, Eastern Desert [25d 6.15m N, 34d 4.37m E] (late R-early Is)
Three varieties of steatite (soapstone) [Precambrian basement]:
(a) dark gray, graphitic PHOTO: sample 1
(b) brownish green, coarse-grained and fibrous (actinolite-tremolite) PHOTO: sample 1
(c) mottled medium and dark grayish green, fine-grained PHOTO: sample 1
9. near Wadi el-Anba'ut [24d 55.81m N, 34d 55.41m E] (early R)
Alabaster gypsum: opaque white [Abu Dabbab Formation, Miocene]
10. Wadi Kamoyid near Gebel Korab Kenzie [22d 36.00m N, 34d 58.60m E] (Is: unknown c.)
Steatite: grayish green, medium-grained [Precambrian basement]
James A. Harrell
Department of Environmental Sciences
The University of Toledo
