THE TEMPLES, SITES AND MONUMENTS OF ANCIENT EGYPT

Crocodilopolis, (Arsinoe in the Greco-Roman Period and Medinet El-Fayoum today) was the main place of worship of the crocodile god, Sobek.

Here in ancient times, crocodiles were adorned with gold and fed honey cakes and meat by the priests.

A great stone obelisk was erected here by the 12th Dynasty Pharaoh Senusret I (1956-1911 BC) during the Middle Kingdom.

Crocodilopolis probably first gained prominence after draining of the Faiyum oasis-swamp by the Middle Kingdom pharaohs, creating a new, fertile province.

Of interest were the huge wooden waterwheels. These waterwheels distributed the waters of the Faiyum swamp throughout the oasis from Crocodilopolis, the capital of the new Faiyum nome. Approximately 200 of these great waterwheels were located throughout the oasis.

The "Seven Waterwheels", a Faiyum landmark today, are surrounded by mangos, palms and willows. It was discovered on the ground in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed in modern Medinet.

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