Situated near the southwestern portion of the island of Abu, near the harbor, lies District Nedj. Here is the palace, built in the First Intermediate Period. Associated nearby is the Bakery, a large establishment that lasted from the 4th Dynasty well into the 11th. The aromas of finely baked breads present a visitor with the certain knowledge that this bakery is still in operation.

The rooms of the bakery are large, with low “walls”. The upper surfaces of these walls served as countertops for the bread preparation. Large vats are used for mixing the dough. The grains used were emmer wheat and barley. Wild yeast would be introduced, along with water. For pastries, honey, milk, fat, butter, and a few seasonings might be added. The baking of bread in ancient Egypt was accomplished by using large and distinctive conical molds called bedja. The bedja would be first pre-heated by turning them upside down over open fires, then set into depressions formed into the floor of the bakery, which would help stabilize them while the dough was added. The bedja would then be covered by a second bedja, and hot ashes used to cover both baking molds, which would help complete the baking process. The breads produced supplied the palace and many of the other locals with sufficiency.

Nearby stands a brewhouse, another use for the Egyptian grains. The beer is a watery concoction, served warm and without carbonation, much less a froth. It was brewed without hops, thereby making it less bitter. Barley was used to make the malt, with emmer wheat replacing the hops.

This is a district for the various trades. Perfumers make and market their wares, make-up is ground from fine ingredients and bartered, sandals are woven and fitted. Weavers, spinners and gleaners create the fabrics that form skirts, kilts, loincloths, and sheaths. These people worked with flax, weaving fine linen from the blue-flowered plant.

The Palace is the home to the Abu nobility, who oversee the island, and make note of the activity on the River Nile. It is they who send reports to Pharaoh, and who call for the mustering of the military in time of conflict. Reporting to them are scribes and other functionaries.

This is a busy but well-ordered section of 11th Dynasty Abu. Everyone has a function, and there is plenty to do and to see. Welcome to District Nedj, the flesh of Abu.