Dush
was a religious, military and civilian complex that primarily developed as the
result of the slave trade, and was a staging point for caravans that either
headed to Asyut or Esna .
Built
for Isis and Serapis, this temple located at the Kharga Oasis is entirely
surrounded by amud-brick fortress. It was built during the rule of Domitian and
Trajan (1stcentury) and decorated during the rule of Hadrian, though apparently
the site was occupied from the Ptolemaic period. Entering the temple
through anyone of several gates is the barrel-vaulted sanctuary which is made
up of two connecting rooms and has a vaulted ceiling. On either side of
the sanctuary are chapels. The temple is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
has no admission charge.