Khmunu

Khmunu was an ancient Egyptian city located in Middle Egypt. Its Greek name was Hermopolis Magna, and it is identified with the modern-day town of el-Ashmunein. Khmunu was a major religious and administrative center throughout much of ancient Egyptian history, particularly during the Old Kingdom and onwards.

The city was the principal cult center for the god Thoth, the deity associated with wisdom, writing, and the moon. Khmunu was believed to be the site where the Ogdoad, a group of eight primordial deities, emerged from the waters of Nun to create the world. These deities were typically depicted as frog-headed or snake-headed figures.

Archaeological evidence suggests a long period of occupation at Khmunu, with significant remains from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, as well as the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Notable discoveries include temples dedicated to Thoth, funerary monuments, and numerous statues and reliefs. Among the most famous finds are the colossal statues of Thoth as a baboon, as well as a rare limestone statue of the pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti from the Amarna period, which was found in the ruins of a temple. The city's strategic location on the Nile also contributed to its importance as a trading hub. Khmunu's religious significance ensured its prominence for millennia, influencing religious beliefs and practices across ancient Egypt.