The ancient world's most famous mines were those of Egypt in the eastern desert region.In addition to major gold deposits, the prized emeralds mines were located in the scorpion and snake invested desert region know as Sikeit and Zabara. Even today the ruins of the mining cities of Zabara and Sikeit are still evident as well as some of the old mine sites (mostly all caved in). After nearly 3500 years the mine dumps and adit areas are also still evident. Also evident are the remains of temples where the slaves would pray for safety and protection during the day's work. It was not unusual for temperatures to reach 140 degrees F in the summer afternoon heat and drop dramatically in the chilling night air. The working conditions were unbearable for the slaves of Egypt. Since the mines were worked by hand, very few samples of these magnificent gems have been left for us. Even attempts of re-exploration have been fruitless. After ages of neglect M. Fredric Cailliaud unsuccessfully reworked the mines in 1822. He tried to get samples of the famous emerald crystals to show the modern world that the ancients did not have the technology and tools of modern civilization. He left in disgust and it was said that he warned later visitors to avoid the sites because ". . .they were the refuge of snakes, wolves, scorpions and other beasts of prey; the abode of demons, who would resent the intrusion." It is again proof in the mysteries that the ancient Egyptians had extreme understanding of mining techniques and were very thorough in following the dark mica and talc schist veins into the mountain walls. Many of the ancient civilizations that traded with Egypt held the emeralds in the highest of favor. Emeralds from the mines have been found in the buried roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The deep rich green emeralds of these mines have adorned the mummies of the nobles and Pharaohs of the Middle and New Kingdoms, such as Seti I, Rameses II and the most famous, the Boy King Tutankhamen. But it was Cleopatra that made the mines even more renowned. It was her favorite gem, and it was not unusual for her in greeting ambassadors from other countries, to be decked in lavished emerald jewelry. As legend holds, she would give these dignitaries a wonderful gem when they left Egypt, carved with her likeness upon it. She is said to have personally taken control over all the crystals from the mines, saying that these gems only befit the royalty of Egypt. Because of their great beauty and trading value to her kingdom, she had the mines named in her honor during her reign of 51 to 30 B.C.. When Egypt was conquered, it was gold and the emeralds from her mines that were the most prized of all the captured bounty. The quality, vivid color and intense brilliance of the few examples of these wonderful emerald crystals that are still in existence in museums, are truth of the lore of the "Ancient Mines of Cleopatra."