The overland route through the Wadi Hammamat from the Nile to the Red Sea was known as early as predynastic times;[REF] drawings depicting Egyptian reed boats have been found along the path dating to 4000 BCE [REF].
The Darb el-Arbain trade route, passing through Kharga in the south and Asyut in the north, was used from as early as the Old Kingdom of Egypt for the transport and trade of gold, ivory, spices, wheat, animals and plants [REF].