Qattara Depression
- "Qattara Depression is the lowest point in Egypt. Dried out lakes, ledges, and few oases characterize it."
- ―Description[src]
The Qattara Depression is a geological depression in the northwest region of Egypt.[1] Aside from Hotep Cavern, the final resting place of the Hidden Ones' co-founders Bayek and Aya, the region bears little points of interest.
Description[edit | edit source]
As the lowest point in the country, the wasteland is characterized by sand dunes, sparse vegetation, and salt pans. It is flanked on the north and south sides by barren mountains. Reaching 18,000km2, the basin is 133m below sea level and covered in salt. After the Afar Depression, it is the second lowest point in Africa.[2] The arid climate has an average climate of 36°C, and is today used for oil exploration.[3] A narrow gorge cutting into the northwest escarpment hosts one of the only sources of freshwater in the area, the Aquifer Oasis.[4]
History[edit | edit source]
In his childhood, the Medjay of Siwa, Bayek, would hide out in a cave known as Hotep Cavern with his eventual wife, Aya. This was situated to the southwest end of the depression, within one of the escarpments around its perimeter.[4]
Around 47 BCE, Bayek returned here in the midst of his conflict with the Order of the Ancients. He revisited Hotep Cavern and found a stone circle formation erected in the outline of Osiris' constellation, as per his promise to his late son Khemu.[5]
Two millennia later in 2017, Layla Hassan journeyed to the region on a mission to find Bayek's sarcophagus and bring it back to Abstergo Industries. Instead, she set up a camp inside Hotep Cavern and used her Portable Animus HR-8 to relive the genetic memories of Bayek and Aya to prove her worth to the Animus Project. Layla's refusal to check in with Abstergo led to the company deploying Sigma Team to find and eliminate her. Making use of the skills she had obtained through the Bleeding Effect, Layla killed her assailants. The Assassins' Mentor William Miles later found Layla after he had caught wind of her situation, and offered her a position with the Brotherhood. Faced with no other option, she agreed to work with the Assassins, but stopped short of formally joining them.[6]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Concept art of Layla in the depression -
Another view of the depression
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑
Qattara Depression on Wikipedia
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The Qattara Depression: "Sand and Salt"
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The Qattara Depression: "Inhospitable Environment"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Origins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Bayek's Promise: Osiris
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Modern day