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The emerald mines in Marsa Alam are of immense historical value. The ancient Egyptians revered the emeralds and regarded it as a symbol of eternity and power. They mined the place extensively once they found that the place was rich in emeralds. There are two legendary mines in this region namely: the Cleopatra mines and the Mons Smaragdus. Only some of the structures are well preserved along with mine shafts. There are plenty of ruins as well. Many walls and windows and niches can still be found at their original height. The mines are mostly located in the desert within Marsa Alam and the Nile valley. There are guided tours that may help you with you explore of the mines. They will tell you a lot about the history of ancient Egypt, the ancient Romans and also about the importance of emerald in Egyptian culture. These tours often come with full packages with the cost of refreshments and transportation. The guides will explain to you the individual significance of each ruin and all the beliefs associated with them. They will also let you know about the customs and traditions of Ancient Egypt. These emeralds were the sources of the gilded furniture and the beautiful jewelries of ancient Egypt. Infact, most of the emeralds used in the ancient jewelries are said to have come from them.
The emerald mines in Marsa Alam not only attract tourists from different parts of the world but because of their architectural value, they are of great interest to the scientists and the research workers as well. The place will fascinate everyone from all age groups. The rugged landscape, the sands, the ancient ruins will transport you to a different world altogether. On your visit to Marsa Alam, it is worthwhile to spend some time in a historical trip to these famous mines. They will fascinate you as much as the beaches, the deserts and the blue sea!
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