Mut el-Kharab has been the capital of the Oasis at various times since the New Kingdom (about 1500 B.C.E.) until the present.

The site to-day is a temple temenos, a heavy wall enclosing the remains of a stone temple dedicated to Seth, and many associated mud brick buildings. Finds include blocks dating to Thutmosis III, Psamtik and several other Late Period rulers of Egypt and two hieratic stelae dated to the XXI and XXV Dynasties.

The temple has been largely destroyed by subsequent building activity in the modern town. Nearby are several important cemeteries of Late Period, Ptolemaic and Roman dates.

Excavating at Mut el-Kharab, Late Period and Roman temple site.