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Ancient Egypt / Cities and Villages /
Buto
Also called: Per-Wadjet; Tell el-Fara'in
City in Ancient Egypt, situated in the Nile Delta, on the Sebennytic arm of the Nile. It was possibly the capital of Lower Egypt prior to the unification of the country.
Its location corresponds to the modern village of Kem Kasir. It is 33 km northwest of Kafr ash-Shaykh.
Buto was originally two cities, Pe and Dep. When they merged they formed Per-Wadjet, which by the Greeks would be named Buto. Wadjet was the local goddess, giving the city most of its Egyptian name. The other name of Wadjet, Buto, was by the Greeks identified with Leto or Latona
The area today consists of 3 mounds, two city quarters and the third of the main temple complex. Only limited excavations have been done at Buto. Many sections are presently below the current water table.
History
Around 4000 BCE: Pe and Dep are two of the major cities of Lower Egypt and centre of this culture.
Middle 4th millennium?: Pe and Dep merges into a city called Per-Wadjet.
Around 3100: Egypt is united as one kingdom, and apparently Per-Wadjet falls into decline. Still, it would be symbolically remembered all around Egypt as capital of Lower Egypt.
6th century: Per-Wadjet gets attention during the Persian and Saite era, becoming famous for its oracles.
4th century: Coming under Greek control, Per-Wadjet is renamed Buto.
1888: Flinders Petrie identifies Buto.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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