Tura, Egypt

Tura (Arabic طرة, DMG Tura, ancient Egyptian An) is in Egypt on the east bank of the Nile, situated between the southern outskirts of Cairo and Helwan place. The present town Tura part of the government al - Qahira.

Quarries

This place is known by the quarries in the Mokattam hills, especially in the Old and Middle Kingdom provided a very high quality and fine limestone in ancient Egypt, which served to disguise the pyramids and temples, and in particular for the lining of mastabas. The use of Tura limestone is - proven through to Greco- Roman period - albeit to a reduced extent.

The Tura limestone was mined not only in mining, but also underground, unlike most other limestone quarries of that time. The workers hollowed it deep pits and tunnels in the rock from where limestone columns were allowed to stand for support.

The tunnel of Tura in 1941 measured out, workers parts of books of the early Christian church fathers Origen and Didymus the Blind found, but these were stolen, and partly reappeared on the black market.

The Bent Pyramid, with large areas still preserved cladding Tura limestone

Lining stones Tura limestone