This region refers to two prehistoric sites on either side of the Nile, Nekheb on the east and Nekhen on the west.

Both cities served as spiritual centers during the pre-Dynastic periods, but also flourished during the Ptolemaic and Roman kheb was dedicated to the vulture goddess, Nekhbet, patron goddess of Upper Egypt.

Nekhen served for sometime as the capital of Upper Egypt and was devoted to the falcon god Horus; the city was later replaced in importance by Edfu.