Tinis, the lost capital of ancient Egypt

 The lost city of Tinis was the capital of the First and Second Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. It was here that the pharaoh who united Upper and Lower Egypt lived.

The city was believed to be near Abydos and the present city of Girgi. Its importance was so great that in the cosmology of ancient Egypt - the ancient Egyptian book of the dead - Tinis plays a key role as a mythical place in the sky. Mention of it can also be found in Manetho, who reports that Tinis served as the capital of the Tynite confederation, which eventually united all of Egypt under one king, Nermer.

This is quite an important event in terms of historical significance. All the more strange is the fact that the ancient city, whose existence was confirmed in antiquity, disappeared without a trace. It has been concluded that the first capital of unified Egypt must have been on the banks of the Nile near modern Girg or El-Birg. There have been various speculations about his whereabouts over the years.

There is reliable archaeological evidence of a population concentration in the Abydos region dating back to around 4000 BC. Abydos is one of the oldest cities ever founded in Egypt and one of the most important. Its importance stems from the fact that the city was considered sacred and was a royal necropolis where pre- and early dynastic pharaohs were buried.

According to historical records, Tinis has been the capital since 3100 BC. until 2686 BC, when Memphis became the capital. Memphis, is also known as the city of the white walls ("Inebu-hedj"). Despite this, the ancient city of Tinis remained an important regional center during the Fourth Dynasty, when Egypt's largest pyramids were built. After the final unification of Egypt under one ruler, Tinis became the center of Egypt, and the history of at least two dynasties was recorded there.

Is the whole story hidden somewhere under the sands of Egypt? Or maybe there was more to the destruction of the city than just a change in administrative status? Until its ruins are discovered, the true fate of Tinis will remain a mystery.