The site of Abydos is an exceptional example of Egyptian religious practices and culture. The site has many examples demonstrating its importance as a center for worship practices and religious beliefs in ancient Egypt. Abydos was home to large concentrations of people but affected many more than those who actually lived there. Abydos was never a center of political power but for much of Egypt's dynastic period it was a significant area for its funerary and religious practices. Perhaps the most interesting of these influences were those surrounding Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. Abydos is located on the western bank of the Nile, between Asyut and Dendera. Almost directly across the Nile are Naga al-Deir and El Mashayikh, communities located just above Thebes. Many of the ancient Egyptians' religious rituals, when completed at Abydos and elsewhere, were tied to the Nile River itself. The Nile was an important part of Egyptian life both in terms of their daily sustenance and in terms of their concept of the afterlife. Abydos was a cultural and religious center that had importance not only for those who lived there but for the region as a whole. Many Egyptian pharaohs had temples built in Abydos for their worship after traveling to the afterlife. Not surprisingly, the wealthier Egyptians at Abydos had tombs built incorporating drawings and murals depicting servitude to the gods and other activities they expected to participate in when they joined the gods (Casson 42). Included in the tomb would be grave goods such as food, clothing, musical instruments and anything else that would make the afterlife more pleasant for the owner of...... middle of paper ......five Egyptian images took the The place of those of Mesopotamia as new kings focuses solely on their lands and responsibilities as great leaders of a great civilization. The focus shifted from human domination over animals to the promotion of a national image and spiritual unity. In conclusion, Abydos was significant in its importance as a center of worship and a rich source of material for understanding the rich religious heritage of this period. in the history of Egypt. The material culture of the site testifies to considerable wealth and power. It also indicates an integral connection between the living and the dead. The celebration of the cult of the dead, in fact, is one of the primary reflections of the site. Another predominant reflection of Abydos is the strong social stratification and division of labor necessitated by temple culture.