the island of Bigeh (Biggeh, Biga), located just to the south of new
Philae and a little to the west of the original island. By the start of
the Graeco-Roman Period, this site had come to be viewed as both the tomb of Osiris
and the source of the Nile, which was believed to issue from a cavern
deep beneath the island. A special sanctuary was built there in ancient
times, but the area was prohibited to people and thus became known in
Greek as the Abaton, or "forbidden place". According to legend, the left
leg of Osiris was buried here after his body had been cut up by his
brother Seth.
The burial place on Bigeh was said to be surrounded by 365 altars on
which the priests laid daily offerings of milk. Although originally of
greater religious importance than nearby Philae, Bigeh thus remained
outside the normal development cycle of temple building and growth, so
it was Philae that was developed instead. The remains of the small
temple at Bigeh are on the eastern side of the island, opposite the
location of the original Philae.
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