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Bigeh (Arabic: بجح; Ancient Egyptian Senem,) is an island and archaeological site situated along the Nile River in historic Nubia, and within the Aswan Governorate of southern Egypt. The island has been situated in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam, since the dam's initial completion in 1902.
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Map of Bigeh, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt
Ancient Egypt
It was formerly an island in the First Cataract of the Nile River, and its fortification controlled the access to ancient Upper Egypt and Nubia. It is a World Heritage Site, located close to Philae and Agilkia Islands and their ancient archaeological sites in the reservoir.
Bigeh island was sacred to the ancient Egyptians. There was a belief that Osiris was buried on the island.
The god Thoth bore the epithets of "Great and Splendid God in Bigeh" and "He that Pacifies the Nsr.t in Bigeh". It is thought that there may have been a Temple of Thoth on the island.