Akhmim, is an area on the east bank of the Nile opposite modern Sohag. It was also called Ipu or Khent-min by the ancient Egyptians. To the Coptics it was Khmin or Shmin, and so the Greeks called it Khemmis. The statue at Akhmim is 11 metres high, and Meret Amon was the daughter of Ramses 2, and she even became his wife when her mother, Nefertari, died. The necropolis at Akhmim has never been systematically excavated, although recent discoveries include five tombs dating to the Old Kingdom where a number of sarcophagi and plaques have been found.
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Akhmim has numbers of mosques and Coptic churches as its ancient treasure but other than of its historical heritage Akhmim also has number of cotton mills and a lively fascinating bazaar. There are also a number of rock-cut tombs of various dates in the area, particularly at el-Hawawish, northeast of Akhmim and at el-Salamuni. Some are decorated with painted circular zodiacs, and belong to officials of the nome from the late Old Kingdom and early Middle Kingdom. Apparently, these local rulers were able to acquire a great deal of wealth and some power.
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In 1981, part of a temple with a monumental gate believed to date to the Graeco-Roman Period was unearthed during building works on the north-eastern edge of the town. Archaeologists found several statue fragments of Rameses II during excavations, as well as a beautiful colossal statue of the king’s daughter and consort, Meritamun, now re-erected in the centre of the area which has become an open-air museum, several meters below the modern ground level.
The main attraction of Akhmim is the Necropolis of El- Hawawish. It was the burial ground of the governors of the area belonging to 4th to the 11 dynasties. The Egyptian government has agreed to allocate EGP 5 million in order to begin proper excavation of the site, relocating the old Muslim cemetery which partly covers the area and the construction of a new one.